GIFT   OF 
Frof.    ^.    A.    Kofoid 


THE  GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


A    HISTORICAL    TALE 


OF    THE 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT  OF  VERMONT 


BY 

JUDGE    D.   P.  THOMPSON 

AUTHOR  OK 

:MAY  MARTIN;  OR,  THE  MONEY  DIGGERS,"  "LOCKE  AMSDEN  ;  OR,  THE  SCHOOL 
MASTER,"  ETC. 


Tis  a  rough  land  of  rock,  and  stone,  and  tree, 
Where  breathes  no  castled  lord,  nor  cabin'd  slave  ; 

Where  thoughts,  and  hands,  and  tongues  are  free, 
And  friends  will  find  a  welcome — foes  a  grave." 


NEW  YORK:  46  EAST  I4TH  STREET 

THOMAS  Y.  CROWELL  &  COMPANY, 

BOSTON  :  100  PURCHASE  STREET 


\A. 


INSCRIBED    TO    THE 

HONORABLE   HEMAN   ALLEN, 
Cat*  E.  S.  ittinistcr  to 


NO  ONE  CAN  THIS  WORK  BE  MORE  APPROPRIATELY  DEDICATED 

THAN  TO   THE   DISTINGUISHED   SON 

OP    ONE   OF   THAT 
INTELLIGENT,   ENTERPRISING   AND   FEARLESS   BAND   OF    BROTHERS, 

THE     ALLENS, 

TO   WHOSE  ENERGETIC   CHARACTERS   AND   VARIED   SERVICES, 

VERMONT  IS   SO   DEEPLY    INDEBTED 

FOR  HER  EXISTENCE   AS  AN   INDEPENDENT    STATE, 
AND   FOR  THE 

FOUNDATION   OF  HER  PRESENT  PROSPERITY. 


M111471 


PREFACE. 


THE  following  pages  are  intended  to  embody  and  illustrate  a  por 
tion  of  the  more  romantic  incidents  which  actually  occurred  in  the 
early  settlements  of  Vermont,  with  the  use  of  but  little  more  fiction, 
than  was  deemed  sufficient  to  weave  them  together,  and  impart  to  the 
tissue  a  connected  interest.  In  doing  this,  the  author  has  ventured,  for 
the  sake  of  more  unity  of  design,  upon  one  or  two  anachronisms  ;  or, 
in  other  words,  he  has  brought  together,  or  nearly  so,  some  incidents 
connected  vith  the  portions  of  the  two  different  periods  embraced 
in  the  v work,  viz.,  the  New  Tork  controversy  and  the  Revolution — 
which  occurred  at  intervals.  Other  than  this,  he  is  sensible  of  no  vio 
lations  of  historical  truth.  Without  consulting,  as  perhaps  he  should, 
the  models  to  be  found  in  the  works  of  approved  writers  in  this  de 
partment  of  literature,  he  has  endeavored  to  give  a  true  delineation 
of  the  manners  and  feelings  of  those  among  whom  the  scene  is  laid^ 
together  with  the  deeds  and  characters  of  some  of  the  leading  actors 
in  the  events  he  has  attempted  to  describe,  as  gathered  from  the  im 
perfect  published  histories  of  the  times,  from  the  private  papers  to 
which  he  has  had  access,  and  more  particularly  from  the  lips  of  the 
few  aged  relics  of  that  period  who  actively  participated  in  the  wild 
and  stirring  scenes  which  peculiarly  marked  the  settlement  of  this 
part  of  the  country.  How  far  he  has  succeeded  in  the  attempt  it  is 
for  tbfe  public,  not  for  him,  to  decide, 

THE  AUTHOR. 

MONTPELIBK,    MARCH,    1839. 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS, 


CHAPTER  I. 


'*  And  now  for  scenes  where  nature  in  her  pride 
Roar'd  in  rough  floods,  and  wav'd  in  forests  wid«— 
Where  men  were  taught  the  desert  path  to  trace, 
And  the  rude  pleasures  of  the  mountain  chase — 
With  light  canoe  to  plough  the  glassy  lake, 
And  from  its  depths  the  silvery  trout  to  take — 
Where  nerves  of  iron  grew,  and  souls  of  tone 
To  soft  refinement's  tranquil  scenes  unknown." 


THOSE  who  have  wandered  along  the  banks  of  the  Otter  Creek, 
in  search  of  the  beautiful  and  picturesque,  may  have  extended 
their  rambles,  perhaps,  to  lake  Dunmore,  which  lies  embosomed 
among  the  hills  a  few  miles  to  the  eastward  of  that  quiet  stream. 
If  so,  their  taste  for  natural  scenery  has  doubtless  been  amply 
gratified ;  for  there  is  no  spot  in  the  whole  range  of  the  Green 
Mountains  that  combines  more  of  the  requisites  for  a  perfect 
landscape  than  this  romantic  sheet  of  water  and  its  surrounding 
shores.  Of  an  oblong  form,  about  four  miles  in  length  and  one 
in  breadth,  this  lake,  or  pond,  as  such  bodies  of  water  are  more 
usually  denominated  among  us,  lies  extended  between  the  main 
ridge  and  a  collateral  eminence  on  the  west,  of  a  height  but  little 
more  than  sufficient  to  serve  as  a  secure  embankment  to  this  noble 
reservoir  of  the  hills.  From  the  eastern  shore  the  land  rises 

1 


2  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

abruptly  into  a  lofty  mountain,  which,  like  sonic  mighty  giantess, 
sits  enthroned  in  the  :aM  lu-avcus,  her  head  turbaned  with  a 
wreath  of  white  urst,  ancj  looking  down  with  seeming  fondness 
and  cave  upon  tho  bright  daughter,  that  reflecting  back  her  own 
ruvi\3<  image,  lies  quietly  repo^irig'm  her  lap,  receiving  the  rich 
supply  of  a  thousand  pearly  rills' 'that  come  gushing  to  her  open 
ing  lips.  To  the  north  and  south  open  long  and  beautiful  vistas, 
extending  along  over  the  bright  extremities  of  the  lake,  and 
terminating  among  the  far  off  peaks  of  the  Green  Mountains; 
while  from  the  western  shore  the  land,  after  a  gentle  rise  for  a 
short  distance,  falls  off  rapidly  toward  the  Otter,  leaving  the 
broad  and  extensive  valley  of  that  stream  open  to  the  vision, 
which  now  wanders  unobstructed  to  the  western  borders  of  the 
lake  Champlain,  where  the  long  chain  of  mountains  that  rise  im 
mediately  beyond,  lies  sleeping  in  the  blue  distance,  and  bounds 
the  view  of  this  magnificent  scene. 

It  was  near  sunset,  on  one  of  the  last  days  of  April,  and  in  the 
same  year  and  month  as  were  marked  by  the  opening  scene  of 
our  great  national  drama,  that  four  stout  and  hardy  looking  men, 
two  of  them  of  about  the  middle  age,  and  two  considerably 
younger,  were  seen  occupying  a  large  log  canoe  near  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  lake  just  described,  and  engaged  fishing  for  trout. 
Their  success  through  the  day  in  ensnaring  "the  pride  of  the 
pure  waters,"  as  the  trout  has  been  appropriately  termed,  had 
been  ample,  as  was  evinced  by  the  large  strings  of  this  beautiful 
fish  lying  on  the  bottom  of  the  boat  beneath  the  feet  of  their  re 
spective  captors.  Now,  however,  as  the  rapidly  lengthening 
shadows  of  the  dark  primeval  forest,  that  thickly  lined  the  shore, 
had  nearly  closed  over  the  lake,  the  party  began  to  manifest  a 
disposition  to  relinquish  the  exciting  labors  of  the  day.  One  sat 
listless  and  unemployed  in  his  seat;  another  was  taking  in  and 
winding  up  his  line;  while  the  third  had  handled  the  oars,  and 
sat  patiently  awaiting  the  movements  of  the  fourth,  who  seemed 
intent  on  securing,  before  quitting  the  station,  one  more  victim, 
as  "a  most  severe  large  one,"  he  said,  was  brushing  round  bis 
hook.  At  length  the  speckled  tantalizer,  after  playing  warily 
round  the  bait  awhile,  seized  it  with  a  desperation  that  seemed 
to  imply  at  once  his  suspicions  and  his  determination  to  test  them, 
and  was  drawn  flapping  and  floundering  into  the  boat,  amidst  a 
shout  of  exultation  from  the  company,  who  unanimously  declared 
the  fish  to  be  a  ten-pounder,  and  the  capital  prize  of  all  that  had 
that  day  been  taken.  All  being  now  in  readiness,  the  boat  was 


THE  GREEN-  MOUNTAIN  BOYS.         3 

rowed  slowly  toward  the  shore  in  the  direction  of  a  spot  in- 
dictated  as  the  place  of  their  temporary  quarters  by  a  slight, 
wreathy  line  of  blue  smoke,  which  had  risen  from  their  boon  fires, 
and  still  hung  undissipated  along  the  precipitous  cliffs  of  the 
mountain  above.  On  reaching  the  shore  the  party,  after  taking 
out  their  fish  and  carefully  concealing  their  canoe  in  a  thick 
clump  of  overhanging  bushes,  proceeded  to  their  retreat,  which 
proved  to  be  a  cavern  in  the  rocks,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
here  shutting  down  within  a  dozen  rods  of  the  lake.  The  front 
of  this  cave  consisted  of  a  sort  of  natural  porch,  eight  or  ten  feet 
in  length,  and  of,  perhaps,  about  half  that  number  of  feet  in 
width,  formed  by  a  projection  of  the  rocks  above  and  on  each 
side,  so  as  to  enclose  the  intervening  space.  From  the  centre  of 
the  area  thus  formed  in  front,  an  entrance,  wide  enough  only  to 
admit  one  person  at  a  time,  opened  into  the  interior,  or  main  part 
of  the  cavern,  a  spacious  and  lofty  room  branching  off  in  several 
dark  recesses  that  appeared  to  extend  far  into  the  rocks.  This  cave 
had  once  been  a  favorite  lodge  with  the  Indians,  as  was  evident 
from  the  flint  arrow-heads,  and  other  indications  of  aboriginal 
life,  discovered  in  and  about  the  place ;  and  in  late  years  it  had 
been  the  usual  resort  of  professional  hunters,  and  others  of  the 
neighboring  settlement,  when  out  for  more  than  one  day  on  fish 
ing  and  hunting  excursions  on  the  lake  or  its  vicinity,  as  it 
afforded  them  comfortable  quarters  for  the  night,  and  such  as 
could  easily  be  secured  from  the  intrusion  of  wild  beasts,  or  In 
dians,  small  parties  of  whom,  though  not  generally  very  hostile 
at  this  period,  were  still  occasionally  seen  skulking  among  these 
mountains.  The  party  now  present,  as  before  remarked,  were 
four  in  number.  The  two  eldest  of  these  had  nothing  remarkable 
in  their  appearance  to  distinguish  them  from  the  ordinary  run  of 
men,  except  their  broad  chests  and  strong  muscular  limbs,  which 
they  possessed  in  common  with  most  of  the  settlers.  Of  the  other 
two,  whom  we  will  more  particularly  describe,  one  was  a  young 
woodsman  of  very  singular  and  striking  appearance.  He  was  lull 
seven  feet  high,  and  as  straight  as  an  arrow.  From  his  trunk, 
which,  though  strongly  made,  and  quite  as  large  as  that  of  a 
common  stout  man,  looked  like  a  may-pole,  rose  a  long,  slender 
neck,  surmounted  by  a  small  apple-shaped  head.  His  features 
might  have  been  regular  when  he  slept,  but  in  conversation,  in 
which  he  was  always  sure  to  have  a  part,  they  were  made  to  play 
such  antics,  by  way  of  acting  as  gestures  to  the  queer  conceits 
with  which  his  brain  was  forever  teeming,  that  it  would  have 


4  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

been  difficult  to  tell  what  any  one  of  them  might  have  been  when 
reduced  to  a  state  of  quiescence.  His  mouth  with  a  peculiar 
twist  seemed  to  move  at  will  in  a  half  circle  from  one  ear  to  the 
other;  while  his  nose,  playing  at  cross  purposes  with  his  mouth, 
was  seemingly  wriggled  up  to  the  eyebrows,  or  let  down  to  the 
chin  at  the  option  of  its  owner.  These,  with  the  eyes,  which 
were  no  less  singularly  expressive,  combined  to  form  a  counte 
nance  to  the  last  degree  comical,  though,  with  all  its  predominat 
ing  humor,  great  good  nature  and  considerable  native  intelligence 
were  very  visibly  mingled  in  its  expression.  This  man  went  by 
the  name  of  Pete  Jones,  or  long-legged  Pete,  as  was  his  more 
common  appellation  among  his  companions.  The  other  person, 
the  only  one  of  the  party  now  remaining  to  be  described,  was 
evidently  far  superior  in  every  respect,  except  physical  powers, 
to  the  rest  of  the  company.  His  exterior  exhibited  a  high  degree 
of  manly  beauty,  both  in  form  and  feature,  while  a  fine  dark  eye, 
with  a  cleanly  turned,  rectilinear  nose,  and  a  high  square  fore 
head,  indicated  tastes  of  an  intellectual  character.  His  counte 
nance  was  expressive  of  keen  perceptions,  and  manifested  also, 
like  that  of  the  person  last  described,  a  strong  disposition  to  wit 
and  mirthfulness ;  though  his  disposition  unlike  that  of  his  rude 
companion,  had  been  evidently  chastened  and  trained  by  educa 
tion  and  intercourse  with  refined  society,  the  advantages  of  both 
of  which  his  language  and  manners  showed  he  had  received. 
His  whole  appearance,  indeed,  was  such  as  would  induce  to  the 
probable  conclusion  that  a  romantic  turn  of  mind,  with  a  love  of 
the  exciting  scenes  of  the  forests,  or  still  more  exciting  strife  in 
which  the  settlers  were  engaged  with  the  neighboring  colony, 
had  led  him  to  a  temporary  adoption  of  his  present  course  of  life, 
and  that  he  was  rather  an  amateur  woodsman  than  one  from  habit 
or  necessity. 

When  the  party  reached  their  quarters,  the  person  whose  de 
scription  last  occupied  us,  separated  himself  from  the  rest,  and, 
clambering  up  the  steep,  sat  down  on  a  commanding  cliff,  some 
hundred  feet  above  the  cave,  leaving  the  duties  of  the  camp  to  be 
performed  by  those  who  remained  below.  The  latter,  after 
kindling  up  a  fire  in  front  of  the  cave,  proceeded  to  bring  from 
the  interior  a  light,  portable  kettle,  and  piece  of  salt  junk, 
articles  with  which  such  parties  usually  went  provided,  and  soon 
became  busily  engaged  in  dressing  and  preparing  a  portion  of  th* 
fruits  of  their  day's  labors  for  an  evening  repast. 

"Smith,"  said  the  tall  woodsman,  whose  peculiarities  we  have 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS.        6 

before  noted,  now  turning  to  one  of  his  comrades  as  they  were 
proceeding  with  their  culinary  labors  ;  "  say,  Smith,  what  do  you 
suppose  Mr.  Selden  has  perched  himself  on  that  old  crazy  crag 
up  there  for  ?  He  looks  as  glum  and  hazy  as  a  cat-owl  winking 
at  the  sun  with  one  eye  and  watching  a  tree  toad  with  the  other?" 

"Well  done  for  you,  Pete  Jones!  "  responded  the  person  ad 
dressed;  *'  I  rather  guess  you  have  hit  the  nail  on  the  head  this 
time ;  for  Selden,  I've  noticed  is  fond  of  looking  at  prospects — • 
scenery,  I  think  he  calls  it — well,  while  he  has  an  eye  for  that. 
it's  my  opinion  he  is  on  the  look-out  for  mischief,  which  ho 
thinks  may  perhaps  be  brewing  for  us  somewhere — what  say  you, 
Brown? " 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  replied  the  tatter,  a  plain,  blunt,  and 
somewhat  dogged  looking  man;  "there  maybe  something  in 
your  idee — and  come  to  think  of  it,  I  guess  it  is  so:  You  know 
we  caught  a  glimpse  or  two  of  a  fellow  skulking  round  the  shore 
over  yonder,  last  evening,  as  we  were  coming  across  to  take  up 
our  quarters  here ;  and  I  remember  that  Selden  seemed  to  watch 
his  movements  as  if  he  had  some  suspicions  that  the  fellow 
might  be  a  spy  upon  us." 

'•  That's  it,"  rejoined  Smith:  "  and  if  Selden  named  the  affair 
to  the  Captain  when  he  joined  us  last  night,  as  I'll  warrant  you 
lie  did,  seeing  they  had  considerable  private  talk  together,  most 
likely  he  got  orders  to  keep  a  spare  eye  for  breakers  to-day.  3 
have  noticed  several  times  this  afternoon  that  he  seemed  to  be 
looking  round  the  lake  rather  anxiously;  and  it  was  that  which 
set  me  to  thinking." 

41  By  the  way,"  interposed  Jones;  "what  in  the  world  can 
have  got  the  Captain,  that  he  amt  in  by  this  time  ?  Not  a  single 
loud  word  has  his  rifle  spoken  to  day,  to  my  hearing." 

"  He  has  doubtless  taken  a  wide  range  to-day,"  replied  Smith, 
who  assumed  to  be  the  best  guesser  of  the  trio;  '  but  an  eye  as 
keen,  and  an  aim  as  sure  as  the  young  Captain's,  never  need  be 
exercised  a  whole  day  for  nothing  on  these  mountains.  He  don't 
come  home  empty  to-night  you'll  find." 

"  I  wish  he  would  come,  however,"  observed  Brown;  "I  am 
anxious  to  know  what  are  to  be  the  orders  for  to-morrow.  I  hope 
lie  won't  make  us  wait  here  another  day  for  more  to  join  us 
before  we  proceed  on  the  business  we  caine  for.  We  have  now 
been  nearly  three  days,  coining  and  here,  without  a  chance  of 
sotting  our  seals  to  the  i>aek  of  a  single  Yorker.  I  wouldn't 
have  volunteered  and  lelt  my  work  at  this  busy  season  but  fot 


«  THE    GHESN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

Captain  Warringtou's  promise  to  let  us  have  right  at  'em,  and  be 
off  again.  And  I  wouldn't  at  no  rate,  if  he  had  not  fought  so 
like  a  young  lion  for  me  at  the  time  these  land  sharks  turned  us, 
wife,  little  ones,  and  all,  out  into  the  snow.  He  did  me  God's 
service  at  that  time ;  so  I  thought  I  ought  to  oblige  him  by  com. 
ing.  Though,  besure,  I  was  obliging  my  own  feelings  about  as 
much  ;  for,  so  help  me  Heaven  !  I  would  go  fourteen  miles  bare 
foot  in  January  for  a  chance  to  pay  off  scores  upon  those  same 
York  gentry." 

"  So  would  I,"  remarked  Smith  ;  "for  what  was  your  case 
may  soon  be  mine,  unless  we  all  turn  out,  and  drive  the  scoun 
drels  from  the  Grants  every  time  they  put  foot  within  them.  So 
we  must  not  grudge  a  little  time  spent  in  paying  off  our  debts  in 
this  manner,  seeing  we  shall  be  doing  the  public  a  service  at  the 
same  time.  Only  think  of  Warrington!  He  has  spent  more  than 
half  his  time  in  this  way  for  the  last  three  years ;  and  all  he  has 
ever  got  by  it  has  been  to  have  a  price  set  upon  his  head." 

"  They  have  set  a  price  on  my  head  too,"  gloomily  resumed 
the  other;*  "but  as  for  the  Captain,  he  will  have  his  reward  in 
heaven;  while  they  have  made  me  so  savage  and  murderous  in 
my  feelings  that  I  begin  to  fear  that  heaven  will  be  no  place  for 
me." 

"Well,  I  owe  the  scamps  nothing  in  particular  myself,  I  be 
lieve,"  observed  Jones;  "but  not  knowing  how  soon  I  might, 
seeing  as  how  I  had  lately  bought  a  new  lot  down  there  near  Old 
Ti,  I  thought  I  might  as  well  join  you  a  spell  to  learn  the  way 
and  manner  of  fixing  the  chaps.  And  I  calculated  if  any  body 
could  show  me  'twas  Captain  Charley,  who  they  say  is  a  trifle 
braver  than  Julius  Ca3sar,  besides  having  a  heart  as  big  as  a 
meeting  house." 

"What  would  you  say  of  Ethan  Allen  at  that  rate  ?"  asked 
Smith,  laughing. 

"Ethan  Allen  ?  Lordyl  why,  two  Alexanders,  with  half  a 
dozen  Turks  thrown  in  to  stiffen  the  upper  lip,  would  be  used  up 
in  making  the  priming  to  Ethan  Allen!  But  hoo!  what  in  thfl 
devil's  name  has  come  among  us  now?"  continued  the  speaker, 
pointing  to  a  new  figure  that  had  arrived  unperceived,  and  noise* 
lessly  taken  a  station  within  a  few  yards  of  the  company. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  to  the  spot  indicated  by  the  words 

*  The  persons  outlawed  by  the  New  York  Assembly,  for  the  apprehension  of 
whom  a  reward  of  fifty  pounds  for  each  was  offered,  were  Ethan  Allen,  Seth  War 
ner.  Remember  Baker,  Kob't  Cochron,  P.  Suuderland,  S.  Brown,  J.  Smith,  and  J, 
Brackeuridge. 


THE    UHEEX    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  7 

and  odd  gesticulations  of  their  companion.  There  stood  a  young 
Indian,  quietly  looking  at  the  company,  or  rather,  after  the  pecu 
liarity  of  his  race,  looking  at  everything  else  but  the  company, 
the  moment  they  turned  and  confronted  him.  He  held  a  rifle  in 
his  hand,  while  his  dress  differed  but  little  from  the  ordinary 
garb  of  the  settlers. 

"Umph!  "  he  at  length  exclaimed  in  the  peculiar,  jerking  gut 
tural  of  the  native  Indian ;  "  Massa  Cappen — him  no  here !  " 

"Guessed  exactly  right,  Tawney!"  cried  Jones,  awakening 
from  the  momentary  surprise  into  which  he,  as  well  as  his  com 
panions,  had  been  thrown  by  the  unexpected  appearance  of  such 
a  visitor;  but  what  do  you  want  witli  the  Captain,  rny  beauty  ?  " 

"Umph!  you  ask;  when  me  tell,  then  you  know,"  quickly 
replied  the  Indian,  with  the  apparent  object  both  to  evade  the 
question  and  retort  on  the  interrogator  for  the  manner  in  which 
it  was  put. 

"Right,  again!  "  exclaimed  Smith,  pleased  at  the  rebuff  thus 
received  by  the  professed  joker  of  the  party;  "here,  Jones,  let 
me  manage  him.  Where  did  you  leave  your  company,  friend  ?  " 
he  continued,  addressing  the  native  coaxingly — "I  conclude 
there  are  more  of  your  people  somewhere  hereabouts  ?  " 

"  Umph !"  answered  the  native  with  a  sarcastic  smile;  "Now 
you  fraid — scare— why  you  no  run  ?  " 

"Righter  than  ever!"  shouted  Jones,  laughing  heartily  in 
turn  at  his  baffled  comrade,  who  had  fared  even  worse  than  him 
self  in  the  reencounter. 

Other  methods  were  then  taken  to  draw  from  the  Indian  his 
name  and  business,  but  without  the  least  success.  He  either 
stood  mute,  or  answered  with  such  odd  evasions,  that  they  soon 
gave  over  the  attempt,  and  called  to  Sclden  on  the  hill,  intimat 
ing  that  his  presence  was  needed  below.  That  person,  who 
proved  to  be  second  in  command  in  the  expedition,  as  if  partly 
apprized  of  what  was  going  on,  immediately  came  down  and  ap 
peared  among  them. 

"Leftenant  Selden,"  said  Jones,  "they  say  you  can  make 
poetry  out  of  rocks  and  trees,  if  you  are  a  mind  to — now  we  want 
to  see  what  you  can  make  out  of  this  fellow." 

"  He  is  very  evidently  a  domesticated  Indian."  seriously  re-  j 
plied  the  person  addressed,  who  appeared  just  then  in  no  humor 
to  relish  the  jokes   of  the  other.     "He  probably  resides  with  / 
eome  family  in  the  vicinity.     I  think  I  have  heard  Warrington  / 


8        THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

speak  of  meeting  one  of  his  description  in  a  hunting  adventure 
in  this  quarter." 

"Well,  he  inquired  for  the  Captain,"  observed  Smith. 

kt  Then  he  has  some  business  with  him,  I  presume,"  rejoined 
Selden;  "some  friendly  message,  perhaps." 

"Uinph!  that  man  say  it,"  said  the  subject  of  their  discourses 
pointing  to  the  former  with  an  expressive  and  respectful  look. 

"  We  will  try  then  to  hasten  the  Captain's  return,"  observed 
Selden,  and  taking  from  his  pocket  a  sort  of  whistle,  formed 
from  the  leg-bone  of  a  deer,  he  blew  a  blast  whose  loud,  shrill 
note  was  capable  of  being  heard  at  a  great  distance. 

A  strict  silence  of  several  moments  was  now  observed  by  the 
whole  party  in  listening  for  a  reply  from  their  leader,  who,  it  was 
understood,  carried  about  him  a  corresponding  instrument.  At 
length,  instead  of  a  reply  from  a  whistle,  the  sharp  report  of  a 
rifle  burst  from  a  neighboring  glen,  and  echoing  wildly  from  cliff 
to  cliff  in  the  surrounding  stillness,  died  slowly  away  on  the  dis 
tant  mountains. 

"There  he  is!"  "There  goes  the  Captain's  rifle — I  should 
know  her  voice  among  a  thousand,"  simultaneously  burst  from 
the  lips  of  several  of  the  company. 

"Just  as  I  told  you,"  said  Smith;  "I  knew  he  would  never 
return  empty.  That  shot,  mark  me,  brought  down  a  deer,  which 
he  had  in  his  eye  when  the  Lef tenant  whistled,  and  prevented  his 
answering  the  call,  which  no  small  game  would." 

The  event  soon  proved  the  truth  of  the  last  speaker's  conjec 
ture.  The  heavy,  slow  tread,  as  of  one  carrying  some  weighty 
load,  now  became  distinguishable  at  a  distance  in  the  woods,  the 
sounds  falling  more  and  more  distinctly  on  tho  ear  every  moment . 
as  they  approached  the  spot  where  the  expectant  and  excited 
party  stood,  eagerly  straining  their  eyes  to  catch  the  first  glimpse 
of  their  huntsman  leader.  At  length  he  emerged  from  the 
bushes,  bearing  a  noble  buck  upon  his  shoulders.  Advancing 
amidst  the  congratulations  of  his  fellows,  he  came  up  to  the 
spot,  and,  with  the  air  of  one  relieved  from  a  heavy  burden,  thre'.y 
down  his  prize  to  the  ground  before  them.  Of  the  probable  age 
of  twenty-six  or  eight,  he  was  a  man  of  a  very  fine  and  even 
majestic  appearance.  Though  tall  and  muscular,  so  compactly 
and  finely  set  were  his  limbs,  that  his  contour  presented  nothing 
to  the  eye  in  the  least  disproportioned  or  ungainly.  His  features 
seemed  to  correspond  in  regularity  of  formation  to  the  rest  of  his 
person,  while  his  countenance  was  rather  of  the  cool  and  deliber- 


TUE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  SOYS.         9 

ate  cast,  indicative,  however,  of  a  mild,  benevolent  disposition, 
as  well  as  a  sound,  reflecting  intellect.  Every  development,  in 
deed,  whether  of  his  shapely  head  or  manly  countenance,  went 
to  show  a  strong,  well-balanced  character,  and  one  capable  of 
action  beyond  the  scope  of  ordinary  men.  His  dress,  which  was 
that  of  a  huntsman,  was  neat — not  rich — but  tastefully  arranged 
and  well  fitted.  A  mahogany-stocked  rifle,  richly  chased  with 
silver,  with  small  arms  partially  concealed  in  his  dress,  completed 
his  equipments. 

u  Heaven  save  me  from  another  such  jaunt,"  were  his  first  words 
after  he  had  thrown  down  his  load  and  recovered  himself  a  little  ; 
"  a  noble  buck,  indeed,  but  the  chase  has  been  rather  a  dear 
one." 

"I  don't  see  how  it  could  well  have  been  otherwise,  Captain," 
observed  Selden,  now  evidently  in  high  spirits  and  disposed  for  a 
little  merriment — 

"  Your  huntsmen,  whenever  a  deer  's  in  the  race, 
Like  your  lovers,  of  course,  must  expect  a  dear  chase." 

"Mine  has  been  somewhat  dearer,  however,  I  think,"  replied 
the  former  with  an  appreciating  smile,  "  than  was  necessary  to 
give  zest  to  those  savory  trout,  which,  by  the  way,  I  am  right  glad 
to  see  so  nearly  ready  for  the  partaking." 

"  Yes,"  rejoined  the  other,  glancing  around  at  the  Indian,  who 
stood  demure  and  silent  in  the  back-ground,  with  his  face  partly 
averted  from  the  company,  "and  yet  I  know  not,  really,  Captain 
Warrington,  but  you  may  have  other  fish  to  fry  first." 

"  And  just  about  the  oddest  fish  too  that  we  have  caught  to-day, 
Captain,"  said  Jones,  instantly  understanding  the  allusion  of  the 
last  speaker  ;  "  I  rather  think  he  must  be  a  sort  of  shellfish,  from 
the  difficulty  we  found  in  getting  his  mouth  open." 

"  O  ho!  "  exclaimed  Warrington,  his  eye  now  for  the  first  time 
resting  on  the  form  of  the  Indian,  and  his  countenance  clearing  up 
from  the  puzzled  expression  that  had  come  over  it  for  the  instant 
at  the  enigmatical  words  of  his  friends  ;  "  a  new  recruit!  that  ex 
plains  your  call,  the  wherefore  I  was  about  to  ask — a  new  recruit 
of  doubtful  credentials,  eh  ?  " 

So  saying,  he  advanced  to  the  side  of  the  Indian  youth  and  at 
tentively  examined  his  features  ;  while  the  object  of  scrutiny  stood 
perfectly  immovable,  and  apparently  unconscious  of  the  examina 
tion  he  was  undergoing,  till  perceiving  by  the  hesitation  of  the 
other  that  he  was  not  likely  to  be  recognized,  he,  without  looking 


10  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

up,  or  varying  the  expression  of  a  single  muscle  of  his  face,  quiet 
ly  observed. 

"  Massa  Cappen  no  remember  Neshobee — no  remember  shoot 
three  wolf.' 

' '  Aha  ?  "  said  the  other,  recalled  by  the  last  allusion  ;  the  same 
poor  fellow  that  I  so  providentially  came  across,  and  relieved  from 
that  savage  pack  of  wolves  last  year,  on  these  very  mountains  ? 
You  may  well  remember  that  escape,  my  friend.  But  it  is  strange 
I  did  not  know  you." 

"  Neshobee  hunt  all  day,"  resumed  the  Indian,  intent  on  rehears 
ing  the  event,  the  remembrance  of  which  seemed  to  light  up  his 
countenance  to  something  like  the  indications  of  feeling,  and  in 
cline  him  to  unusual  loquacity  ;  "  hunt,  hunt — kill  no  deer — dark 
come  fast.  Now  here  wolf  'way  out  there,  howl  !  howl  !  Now 
'way  out  here,  howl !  howl  !  Now  um  come  together,  howl !  howl! 
Now  near  off,  howl  !  howl  !  Now  me  know  what  um  want,  and 
climb  small  tree  quick.  Wolf  come,  five,  six,  hungry,  and  lap 
um  mouth.  Me  shoot  ;  kill  one,  and  go  to  load  um  up  again —so 
no  think  nothing,  and  drop  um  rifle  low  down — wolf  jump  high, 
catch  um  away — now  rifle  all  gone — no  get  um — wolf  get  mad 
fast — bite  um  tree,  gnaw,  gnaw,  wolf  no  do  so  'fore.  Now  tree  be 
gin  shake,  shake  to  fall  soon.  Now  bend,  bend,  slow  'long  down — 
wolf  jump,  jump,  snap  um  white  teeth,  and  'most  jest  catch  um  Nes 
hobee.  Now  hoo !  bang  !  one  wolf  kick  over  dead — Cappen  out 
there  in  the  bush.  Shoot  again,  two  dead  !  Shoot  again  three 
dead  !  Now  the  rest  two  wolf  begin  to  mistrust  to  run  away  afore 
they  dead  two.  Now  Neshobee  come  down— stay  all  night  in  cave 
with  um  Cappen — him  very  good,  no  forget  um." 

"Very  nearly  correct,  I  believe,  Neshobee,"  observed  Warring- 
ton,  as  the  Indian  closed  his  recital,  the  longest,  perhaps  he  ever 
made  in  his  life,  for  unluckily,  it  may  be,  for  the  romance  of  our 
tale,  Neshobee  was  no  Logan  or  Red  Jacket,  either  in  length  of 
speech,  or  that  peculiar  eloquence,  which  most  of  our  writers  seem 
to  delight  in  attributing  to  the  sons  of  the  forest ;  "  very  nearly 
correct,  but  are  you  out  on  another  hunt  in  this  quarter,  or  does 
other  business  bring  you  here  at  this  time  ?  " 

"  No  much  hunt,  me  come  for." 

"  What  then  ?  " 

"  Missus  Story  talk  um  on  papar  for  Cappen  better  nor  Nesh 
obee  say,"  replied  the  Indian,  handing  Warrington  a  small  dingy 
scrap  of  paper. 

The  latter  after  running  hastily  over  the  contents  of  the  billet, 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  11 

•which  caused  his  eye  to  kindle  with  enthusiasm  as  he  read,  immedi 
ately  turned  to  the  company,  and,  with  a  cheerful,  animated  air 
observed,  "  it  is  from  our  friend,  Widow  Story,  of  the  Creek 
down  here,  and  contains  news  of  interest,  my  boys — shall  I  read 
it  to  you  ? " 

"  Aye,  aye,  Captain,"  was  the  eager  response. 

"Listen  then." 

"  CAPT,  W. — I  tear  out  the  blank  leaf  of  my  bible  to  say,  £  the 
Philistines  be  upon  thee,  Sampson."1  They  came  over  the  Creek 
somewhere  north  of  here,  and,  after  a  short  consultation  near  the 
edge  of  my  clearing,  from  which  I  luckily  espied  them,  struck 
off  towards  the  lake.  Munroe,  as  usual,  heads  the  party,  ten  in 
number,  as  I  counted.  There  are  five  of  you,  at  least  ;  and  that 
is  enough,  if  you  are  of  the  stuif  I  think  you,  to  attend  to 
confirming  our  titles  in  this  neighborhood.  My  messenger  is  a 
chance  one,  but  true  and  friendly,  and  may  be  enlisted,  I  think, 
for  the  night's  work,  if  needed. 

God  speed  you  all, 

ANN  STORY." 

The  spirited  epistle  was  received  by  the  company  with  a  loud 
"  hurra  for  the  widow  !  "  and  notwithstanding  it  brought  them 
the  startling  intelligence  that  the  sheriff  of  Albany  county,  with 
an  armed  force  of  twice  their  own  number,  was  on  the  march  to* 
seize  them,  two  of  whom,  at  least,  were  known  to  be  under  sen 
tence  of  outlawry  for  former  resistance  to  the  New  York  author 
ities,  while  attempting  to  execute  their  cruel  mandates  on  the 
persons  or  property  of  the  settlers — notwithstanding  this,  the 
news  was  received  with  the  liveliest  expressions  of  joy  and  en 
thusiasm.  An  escape  from  their  pursuers  into  the  forest,  or  on 
to  the  water  in  their  canoe,  which  was  the  only  one  in  the  lake, 
they  well  knew  might  easily  be  effected.  But  this  was  no  part 
of  the  plan  of  this  resolute  little  band  of  Green  Mountain  Boys ; 
nor  was  the  possibility  of  their  being  overpowered  and  taken 
deemed  by  them  scarce  more  worthy  of  their  consideration. 
Their  object  was  the  punishment  of  their  foes,  for  the  accom 
plishment  of  which  this  was  hailed  by  them  all  as  a  golden  op 
portunity.  From  the  unwonted  boldness  with  which  this  noted 
troubler  of  the  Grants  was  attempting  to  push  so  far  irjto  the 
interior  with  so  small  a  number  of  men,  all  of  whom  were  sup 
posed  to  be  unacquainted  with  th<j  forest  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  it  was  rightly  conjectured  that  ho  must  have  been 


12  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

apprized  by  some  traitorous  settler ;  not  only  of  the  exact  situa 
tion  of  the  present  rendezvous,  but  also  of  the  number  of  those 
occupying  it ;  and  for  similar  reasons  it  was  concluded  that  this 
person  must  now  be  with  the  approaching  enemy,  acting  as  guide 
in  conducting  them  to  the  spot,  where  they  doubtless  antici 
pated  taking  their  intended  victims  by  complete  surprise,  and 
then  hurrying  them  by  night  over  the  country  to  the  British  fort 
at  Ticonderoga,  before  the  settler*  could  be  rallied  for  a  rescue. 
In  this  opinion  our  band  were  confirmed  by  the  suspicious 
appearance  of  a  man,  who,  as  we  intimated,  had  been  seen  the 
evening  before  lurking  round  the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  who, 
it  was  now  scarcely  longer  to  be  doubted,  was  a  spy,  dogging 
them  to  such  place  as  they  might  select  for  their  encampment. 
Next  to  the  sheriff,  therefore,  and  even  before  him,  was  this 
peison,  whose  offence  was  considered  the  most  heinous  of  the 
two,  particularly  marked  for  punishment,  and  it  was  determined 
to  identify  and  seize  him,  if  possible,  and,  whoever  he  might 
prove,  make  him  an  example  to  all  future  traitors.  To  retain 
their  strong  hold,  the  cavern,  however  defensible  it  might  be, 
was  no  object  with  our  party,  as  their  leader  had  already  deter 
mined  to  leave  it  the  following  morning  to  proceed  on  the  main 
purpose  of  their  excursion,  which  was  to  break  up  an  establish 
ment  of  their  opponents,  who  had  obtained  a  strong  foothold  at 
the  lower  falls  of  Otter  Creek,  and  to  seize  a  York  surveyor, 
locating  lands  in  that  vicinity — from  which  purpose  they  had 
only  turned  aside  for  a  day  or  two  to  give  others  an  opportunity 
to  join  them  on  the  lake,  the  appointed  rendezvous,  and  a  pleas 
ant  spot  for  employing  the  interim  in  fishing  and  hunting.  Ac 
cordingly  it  was  soon  concluded  to  make  no  regular  defence  of 
the  cave,  but,  using  it  only  so  far  as  might  best  favor  them  in 
their  object  of  discomfiting  the  enemy,  the  modes  of  doing  which 
were  yet  to  be  devised,  leave  it  to  their  possession,  and  quit  the 
place  that  night.  Their  game  and  such  movables  as  were  not 
immediately  wanted,  were  therefore  now  transferred  to  the  boat, 
which  was  removed  to  a  secret  landing,  where  the  party  were 
ordered  to  repair  at  the  signal-call  of  the  whistle.  These  brief 
arrangements  having  been  completed,  and  the  young  Indian, 
who  seemed  to  enter  with  great  spirit  into  the  enterprize,  being 
employed  to  stand  on  the  look-out,  the  company,  with  their 
loaded  rifles  by  their  side,  sat  down  to  their  sylvan  meal,  over 
which  they  discussed  in  gleeful  inood,  the  various  and  ingenious 
methods  which  were  successively  proposed  for  the  reception  and 


THE    OUEEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  13 

chastisement  of  their  assailants,  who  were  expected  to  make 
their  appearance  as  soon  as  it  was  fairly  dark. 


CHAPTER  II. 


'  Thns,  spite  of  prayers,  her  schemes  pursuing, 
She  went  on  still  to  work  our  ruin  ; 
AnnuTd  our  charters  of  releases, 
And  tore  our  title-deeds  to  pieces  ; 
Then  signed  her  warrants  of  ejection, 
And  gallows  raised  to  stretch  our  necks  on  ; 
And  straightway  sent,  like  dogs  to  bait  us, 
MUNBOE,  \rith  posse  comitatus." 


LEAVING  our  little  band  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  to  discuss  and 
settle  the  manner  of  receiving  their  expected  visitors,  and  to 
make  their  dispositions  for  carrying  such  pi  an,  as  should  be  final 
ly  adopted,  into  effect,  we  will  now  change  the  scene  a  little, 
and  introducing  the  reader  to  those  visitors  themselves,  accom 
pany  him  and  them  to  the  scene^  of  action. 

In  a  thickly  wooded  swamp,  near  the  northern  extremity  of 
the  lake  before  described,  were  assembled  a  group  of  ten  men, 
awaiting  the  approach  of  darkness,  which  was  already  beginning 
to  settle  in  successive  and  fast  increasing  shades  upon  the  low 
lands  and  glens  along  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  They  were  all 
armed,  though  variously — some  having  muskets,  some  large  pis^ 
tols,  and  some  only  oaken  cudgels.  Apart  from  the  rest  stood 
their  leader,  a  stern,  rough  looking  personage,  engaged  in  a  low, 
earnest  conversation  with  another  individual,  of  the  apparent  age 
of  twenty-five,  whose  dress  and  general  demeanor  seemed  to  for 
bid  the  conclusion  that  he  was  either  a  common  follower,  or  one 
in  any  command  ;  and  yet,  from  the  interest  he  manifested  in  the 
business  in  hand,  it  was  evident  he  was  in  some  way  connected 
with  the  expedition.  As  the  last  named  person  may  occupy  con 
siderable  space  in  our  tale,  we  will  pause  to  note  his  personal  ap 
pearance  more  particularly  :  he  was  of  about  the  middle  height, 
well  made,  though  of  rather  slight  proportions.  His  features, 
though  regular  were  common-place  and  inexpressive,  with  the  ex- 


14  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

ception  of  a  pair  of  small,  twinkling,  black  eyes,  in  which  an  ol> 
servant  spectator  might  often  read  meaning  considerably  at 
variance  with  the  import  of  his  language,  his  plausible  manners, 
and  the  obsequious,  smirking  smile,  which  he  usually  assumed 
while  addresaing  those  with  whom  he  had  a  point  to  carry.  The 
construction  of  his  head  seemed  to  be  somewhat  peculiar — his 
forehead,  which  was  very  tall,  being  nearly  in  the  shape  of  a  tri 
angle,  with  the  base  resting  on  the  eyebrows,  and  the  sides  nar 
rowing  to  an  apex  at  the  hair  above  ;  while  his  head,  as  far  back 
as  the  ears,  swelling  upwards  into  large  protuberances,  might  be  \ 
better  represented  by  a  triangle  reversed.  His  dress  was  a  finer 
texture  than  that  of  any  of  his  present  associates,  or  that  ordin 
arily  worn  by  the  settlers,  and  his  whole  appearance,  indeed, 
denoted  some  connection  with  the  more  wealthy  and  fashionable 
classes  of  society. 

"  You  say,  Sherwood,"  observed  the  former  of  the  two  last 
mentioned  persons,  at  that  part  of  their  dialogue  which  it  con 
cerns  us  to  repeat  :  "  you  say  that,  from  having  been  yourself  at 
this  cave,  you  know  all  the  surrounding  localities  ?  " 

"  Exactly — just  as  I  described  to  you  when  I  reached  you  last 
night,  There  can  be  no  mistaking  the  place.  They  are  still 
there,  as  is  evident  from  the  smoke  which  we  saw  rising  over  the 
spot  just  now,  while  passing  the  head  of  the  lake.  The  path  is 
now  plain,  and  the  game  sure,  without  further  guidance  ;  so  I 
think,  as  I  began  to  suggest  to  your  honor  a  few  minutes  ago, 
that  you  may  now  dispense  with  my  further  attendance.  If  I 
should  be  seen  by  any  of  their  party,  I  should  be  delicately  situat 
ed  here  in  the  settlement  " 

"To  the  devil  with  your  delicacy  !  Why,  man,  do  you  think 
I  am  going  on  in  the  dark,  stumbling  over  logs  and  through  bogs, 
without  a  guide?  Even  you  are  none  too  good  a  one  for  this  cursed 
hole  ;  but  such  as  you  are,  in  the  king's  name  I  retain  you  ;  so 
not  another  word  about  quitting  us  till  the  scoundrels  are  se 
cured." 

"Iain  certainly  aware,  Mr.  Monroe,  of  the  importance  of  se 
curing  this  Warrington,  so  great  a  disturber  of  the  public  peace, 
but—" 

"Disturber!  doubly  damned  rebel!  Why,  no  man  in  the 
settlement  has  caused  me  so  much  trouble,  considering  his  auda 
cious  assault  on  me,  and  all.  It  will  do  me  more  good  to  see  him 
hung  than  to  sit  at  the  king's  banquet." 

"  0,  certainly—it  would  me ;  and  I  would  by  all  means  aid  you 


THE  GREEK  MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  15 

even  to  the  capture,  if  your  honor's  well  known  sagacity  and 
bravery  on  such  occasions  did  not  render  my  assistance  wholly 
unnecessary." 

"Well,  well,  Jake,"  replied  the  sheriff,  relaxing  a  little  from 
his  wonted  roughness  at  the  flattering  expressions  of  the  other, 
"  suppose  I  am  all  that  you  say,  it  won't  serve  me  in  finding  a 
fox's  hole  in  these  woods  any  better  than  the  instinct  of  any 
country  booby,  nor  half  so  well.  I  tell  you,  Sherwood,  you  must 
conduct  us  to  the  place,  at  least  ;  for  we  shall  then  have  enough 
to  do  to  take  the  fellow,  and,  what  is  worse,  to  get  him  through 
the  settlement  to  Ticonderaga.  Why,  there  is  not  an  old  woman 
in  all  the  Grants  but  will  fight  for  the  scoundrel  as  if  he  was  one 
of  her  own  brats." 

"  O,  there  can  be  no  great  trouble,  the  surprise  will  be  so  great; 
but  as  your  honor  desires  it,  I  will  go  so  far  as  to  point  out  the 
place,  on  condition  that  I  then  be  allowed  to  keep  out  of  sight." 

"Yes  but  your  half  of  the  reward  for  taking  the  fellows,  for 
you  say  that  there  is  at  least  one  outlaw  besides  Warrington  ;  you 
won't  claim  all  that,  unless  you  help  us  through  the  whole  affair, 
will  you  ? " 

"  Your  honor  forgets  that  I  was  only  to  conduct  you  so  far  as  to 
point  out  their  retreat." 

"Have  it  your  own  way,  then — but  I  hate  to  see  a  fellow  so 
keen  on  the  chase,  and  then  become  so  devilish  prudent  the  mo 
ment  he  approaches  the  game, "  grumbled  Munroe,  turning  away  to 
give  some  orders  to  his  men,  preparatory  to  resuming  their  march. 

It  having  now  become  sufficiently  dark  for  their  purpose,  the 
party  were  put  in  motion  for  the  prosecution  of  their  enterprise. 
And  after  striking  a  light,  and  procuring  some  materials  for  torch 
es  from  the  pine  knots  gathered  in  the  surrounding  windfalls,  they 
set  forward  towards  the  place  of  their  destination,  then  about  a 
mile  distant.  Keeping  as  far  from  the  shore  of  the  lake  as  the 
nature  of  the  ground  would  permit,  lest  the  gleams  of  their  light, 
striking  across  the  water  to  the  vicinity  of  the  cave,  should  betray 
their  approach,  they  pursued  their  way  along  the  foot  of  the  moun 
tain  with  all  possible  silence  and  caution  ;  while  the  glare  of  their 
torches,  glittering  on  the  points  of  the  crags,  and  thrown  back  on 
to  the  dark  forms,  and  eager  and  flushed  visages  of  the  party,  glid 
ing  stealthily  along  in  Indian  file  beneath  the  over-hanging  cliffs, 
like  tigers  for  their  prey,  gave  them  a  singularly  wild  and  most 
unearthly  appearance.  At  length  they  arrived  at  the  sharp  knoll, 
which,  running  down  from  the  main  ridge  above  to  the  water,  had 


16  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

so  far  screened  their  approach,  and  enabled  them  to  advance  with 
their  lights  unseen  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  cavern. 
Here  they  made  a  brief  halt  to  arrange  their  forces  for  the  onset. 
As  soon  as  this  was  effected,  Munroe  and  Sherwood  crept  noiseless 
ly  over  the  intervening  rise,  followed  at  short  intervals  by  the  refit 
of  the  party,  with  the  exception  of  one  man  left  behind  in  charge 
of  the  torches.  Having  decended  to  the  level  beyond,  they  again 
paused  to  listen  and  reconnoiter  before  venturing  any  farther.  All 
was  dark  and  silent  before  them.  And  concluding  that  their  in 
tended  victims  had  retired  within  the  cave  and  were,  probably,  by 
this  time,  reposing  in  unsuspecting  slumbers,  they  now  congratulat 
ed  themselves  on  a  certain  and  easy  conquest,  and,  with  freshened 
impulse,  once  more  began  to  move  briskly  forward  ;  wjien  the 
loud,  whoo  f  wlioo! — wlioo  /  wlwo  !  of  the  "dismal  bird  of  night," 
or  of  something  strikingly  resembling  it  in  note,  proceeding  from 
some  point  above,  came  pealing  through  the  darkness,  with  fearful 
distinctness,  to  the  ears  of  the  company.  All  gave  an  involuntary 
start.  Even  the  stout-hearted  Munroe,  for  the  instant,  could  scarce 
ly  avoid  quaking  at  the  strangely  dismal  notes  that  thus  broke 
from  utter  stillness  so  unexpectedly  upon  them.  The  next  moment, 
however,  as  the  consciousness  of  the  insignificant  cause  of  their 
affright  came  over  them,  a  half  stifled  giggling  ran  through  the 
company  ;  while  their  leader  uttering  a  dry  ' '  umph  !  scared  at  a 
damned  owl  !  "  motioned  Sherwood  to  proceed,  But  the  latter 
more  accustomed  to  the  notes  of  the  supposed  animal,  and  think 
ing  he  detected  something  not  quite  natural  in  the  sounds  they  had 
just  heard,  became  secretly  impressed  with  the  fears  of  an  ambush, 
and,  without  imparting  his  suspicions,  he  hastily  pointed  out  to  the 
sheriff  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  whose  dim  outlines  had  now  be 
come  discernible,  and  instantly  returning  to  the  rear,  quickly  re 
treated  over  the  hill.  With  a  few  muttered  expressions  of  con 
tempt  at  the  flight  of  the  wary  and  timid  guide,  Munroe  once  more 
set  forward  with  the  determined  motions  of  one  who  is  resolved 
not  again  to  be  interrupted  by  any  slight  causes,  And  being  now 
promptly  followed  by  his  men,  he  soon,  and  without  further  ob 
stacle,  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  and,  bringing  up  his 
forces,  immediately  surrounded  it.  Here  they  all  paused,  standing 
motionless  and  silent,  listening  long  and  intensely.  Every  thing 
within  and  around  was  as  still  as  if  no  living  being  was  within  a 
mile  of  the  place. 

"  Hallo  !  "  at  length  sharply  uttered   the  sheriff,  after  waiting 
till  lie  began  to  doubt  whether  his  anticipated  captives  had  escap- 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  1? 

ed,  or  were  all  snugly  asleep  in  the  cave,  "  hallo  !  within  there  I" 

*'  Hallo,  without  there  1"  was  the  ready  reply  from  the  cavern. 

"  Ha!  ye  rebel  dogs  I"  exultingly  exclaimed  Irlunroe  ;  "you 
are  there,  are  ye  ?  We  have  kennelled  ye  at  last,  then.  Now 
hear  me — I  command  ye  to  surrender  yourselves  to  the  king'g 
warrant,  every  scoundrel  of  ye — but  first  of  all,  Charles  Warring- 
ton — do  you  hear  the  summons  ?  " 

"We  hear  the  summons,  and  well  comprehend  its  import," 
coolly  replied  the  voice  from  the  cave,  which  was  evidently  that 
of  the  person  especially  named  by  the  sheriff;  "but  touching 
your  last  demand,  mine  ancient  friend — for  in  your  voice  I  think 
I  recognize  the  person  with  whom  I  once  exchanged  civilities  in 
the  southern  part  of  our  favored  settlement — touching  your  last 
demand,  I  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  being  somewhat  personally 
interested  myself  in  the  decision  to  be  made  in  regard  to  the  re 
quirement,  I  would  respectfully  refer  you  to  my  friends  here,  who 
will  doubtless  give  you  such  answer  as  their  unbiassed  judgments 
shall  dictate." 

"Do  you  think  to  dally  with  me,  scoundrel  ?  "  stormed  Mun- 
roe,  nettled  at  the  provoking  coolness  of  his  antagonist,  and 
especially  at  his  ironical  allusion  to  a  personal  chastisement  re 
ceived  from  his  hands  the  year  before;  "  such  attempts  will  but 
little  avail  you'll  find.  Nor  will  it  be  of  the  least  use,  let  me 
tell  you  all,  to  think  of  contending  against  our  numbers:  and  the 
longer  you  hold  out  the  worse  it  shall  be  for  ye.  So  yield  your 
selves  instantly,  or,  so  help  me  Beelzebub,  every  dog  of  you  shall 
swing  for  it." 

"Assertions,"  observed  Selden,  who  being  Warrington's  only 
companion  in  the  cave,  now  took  up  the  discourse  on  the  hint  of 
his  superior;  "assertions,  sir  sheriff,  sometimes,  unfortunately, 
are  more  easily  made  than  proved.  You  may  not  find  us,  perhaps, 
so  entirely  unprepared  for  your  visit  as  you  have  expected,  not 
withstanding  our  warder  thought  fit,  in  his  owl-like  wisdom,  to 
be  somewhat  tardy  in  announcing  your  approach.  It  may  not  be 
prudent  in  us,  however,  to  speak  wholly  without  reserve  in  this 
matter,  as  we  know  not  how  much  aid  your  honor  may  expect 
from  the  friend  you  last  invoked." 

The  intimations  which  they  gathered  from  these  replies,  to 
gether  with  the  jeering  calmness  attending  them,  which  seemed 
to  imply  a  sense  of  security  in  the  assailed  from  resources  un 
known  to  the  assailants,  considerably  dampened  the  ardor  of  the 
sheriff  and  his  band;  and  they  began  to  suspect  that  thoir  fri- 


18  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

umphs  might  not  prove  so  cheaply  won  as  they  had  anticipat 
ed.  The  men,  indeed,  now  began  to  show  symptoms  of  fear  and 
uneasiness  at  standing  longer  before  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  from 
which,  for  aught  they  could  see  or  know,  a  dozen  loaded  rifles 
might  be  pointed  against  them ;  and  their  leader  shouted  loudly 
to  the  man  left  in  the  rear,  directing  him  to  come  on  with  lights, 
and  declaring  at  the  same  time  with  a  tremendous  oath,  that  if 
tue  stubborn  rascals  didn't  instantly  yield,  he  would  send  a  trol 
ley  of  balls  in  among  them,  and  if  that  failed,  he  would  smoke 
them  out  like  so  many  burroughed  foxes.  He  was  not  allowed, 
however,  much  time  to  attempt  the  fulfilment  of  his  menaces ; 
for  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  two  of  whom  only,  as  before  men 
tioned,  were  in  the  cave,  the  rest  being  stationed  in  the  nearest 
surrounding  coverts,  now  deemed  it  time  to  begin  their  plan  of 
operations.  Suddenly  a  fearful  screech,  something  between  that 
of  a  man  and  a  wild  brute,  issuing  from  the  thicket  above  the 
cave,  resounded  through  the  forest,  sending  its  startling  thrill  to 
the  very  hearts  of  the  appalled  and  astonished  assailants.  All 
eyes  were  involuntarily  turned  upwards  to  the  spot  from  which 
these  terrific  sounds  seemed  to  proceed. 

"  A  catamount !  a  catamount!"  wildly  shouted  several  of  the 
party. 

"Where  ?  where  ?  "  eagerly  exclaimed  others. 

"There!  up  there  in  the  fork  of  that  tree  !  "  hurriedly  replied 
the  former,  pointing  to  the  top  of  a  leaning  tree  that  projected 
nearly  over  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  in  a  broad  fork  of  which  the 
outlines  of  a  dark  body,  as  if  some  large  animal  crouching  for  a 
leap  upon  his  prey,  with  great  fiery  eye-balls  glaring  down  upon 
them,  was  sufficiently  discernible  to  justify  their  alarm. 

"He  moves!"  cried  one,  "hark!  hear  him  fixing  his  claws  in 
the  bark!  There,  he  stirs  again!  look  out!  he's  going  to  leap 
down  upon  us — fire!  quick,  all  hands,  fire!  " 

"Hold!  hold!  "  shouted  Munroe,  the  suspicion  of  a  trick  now 
for  the  first  time  flashing  across  his  mind.  But  the  command 
came  too  late ;  for  while  the  words  were  in  his  mouth,  every  gun 
and  pistol  in  the  party  except  his  own,  were  discharged  at  the 
object  of  their  terror,  which  was  seen,  in  the  expiring  flash,  to 
bound  out  from  the  tree  directly  over  the  place  where  they  stood ; 
and  all,  in  their  eagerness  to  avoid  the  clutches  of  the  leaping 
animal,  well  known  to  be  terrible  when  wounded,  even  if  in  the 
last  agonies  of  death,  broke  away,  and  fled  in  confusion  from  the 
spot,  wholly  unmindful  of  their  duty  in  guarding  the  mouth  of 


THE    unttEN    MOUNTAIN     BOYS.  19 

the  cave,  and  everything  else,  but  their  own  safety,  in  the  genera' 
panic  that  had  seized  them.  A  momentary  pause  followed  the 
explosion  of  the  fire-arms,  in  which  nothing  was  heard  save  the 
hasty  scrambling  of  the  terrified  Yorkers  in  their  eager  efforts  tc 
escape.  In  an  instant,  however,  a  rushing  from  other  quarters 
Wtis  heard — dark  forms  were  seen  swiftly  gliding  from  the  cave 
and  the  thickets  above,  in  the  direction  of  the  retreating  party, 
iinong  whom,  in  a  moment  more,  a  cry  of  dismay  rose  wildly  on 
iho  air.  Munroe  and  three  of  his  men  were  suddenly  seized 
round  their  waists  or  legs,  from  behind,  by  the  iron  grasp  of 
grappling  arms,  and,  being  lifted  from  the  ground,  were  up 
borne  with  resist,  ess  force  and  rapidity  toward  the  shore  of  -the 
lake ;  all  of  them  but  their  leader  verily  believing,  in  the  fright 
and  confusion  of  the  moment,  that  it  was  the  catamount,  whose 
fearful  image  was  still  uppermost  in  their  minds,  that  had  seized 
them  and  was  bearing  them,  off  in  his  grasp. 

"Help!  help  here!  He  has  got  me!  for  God's  sake  help 
me !  "  screamed  one  in  an  agony  of  terror. 

"  Murder!"  exclaimed  another;  Oh!  get  him  off— get  him  off! 
murder!  murder!'' 

"Oh!  aw!"  cried  the  third  in  a  yell  of  despair;  "he  has  got 
his  claws  in  my  throat — he'll  kill  me— he  will !  he  will !  yah !  yah !" 

Munroe  alone,  of  all  the  thus  oddly  captured  party  was  mute. 
Rightly  judging  the  character  of  the  foe  into  whose  hands  he 
had  fallen,  and  boiling  with  silent  rage  he  made  the  most  des 
perate  struggles  to  free  himself  from  the  vice-like  grasp  of  his 
captor,  who,  he  at  once  concluded  from  his  great  strength,  the 
effects  of  which  he  had  before  experienced,  could  be  no  other 
than  Warrington.  But  wholly  failing  in  this  attempt,  and  find 
ing  himself  still  carried  rapidly  onward,  he  knew  not  to  what 
destination,  he  next  tried  to  disengage  his  dirk  from  its  sheath, 
in.  which  it  was  confined  beneath  the  grappling  arm  of  his  oppon 
ent.  Before  succeeding  in  this,  however,  and  while  intent  only 
oa  his  murderous  design,  he  was  borne  by  his  intended  victim  to 
the  margin  of  the  water,  and,  with  a  giant  effort,  hurled  head 
long  over  the  bank.  The  loud  splashing  that  succeeded,  told 
that  he  was  now  struggling  in  the  embrace  of  a  different,  though 
not  a  much  more  comfortable,  antagonist;  while  three  more 
heavy  plunges,  following  in  irregular  succession  along  the  bank, 
still  further  announced  that  the  vanquished  sheriff  was  not 
without  the  company  of  a  good  share  of  his  friends  to  console 


20  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

him  in  the  discomforts  of  the  new  element,  into  which  they  all 
had  been  so  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  translated.  The  shrill 
notes  of  Warrington's  signal  whistle  now  sounded  the  precon 
certed  retreat.  In  a  moment  more  the  victorious  party  were 
assembled  at  the  appointed  landing — in  another,  they  were  em 
barked;  while  their  boat,  by  the  strong  push  of  the  last  man 
springing  in,  was  sent,  by  the  single  impulse,  so  far  into  "the  lake 
as  to  put  a  safe  distance  between  them  and  their  foes,  now  be 
ginning  to  rally,  with  cries  of  rage,  on  the  shore.  An  uncon 
trollable  peal  of  laughter,  ending  in  three  loud  and  lively  cheers, 
now  burst  from  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  rending  the  welkin 
above,  and  startling  the  deep  recesses  of  the  surrounding  forests 
with  the  triumphant  shout. 

"  The  battle  being  over,"  observed  "Warrington,  after  the  noise 
of  their  merriment  and  exultation  had  measurably  subsided;  "  let 
us  now  turn  our  attention  to  t'he  wounded  and  missing." 

"All  whole  of  skin,  I  imagine,"  said  Selden  ;  "  though  here 
is  one,  Smith,  I  believe  it  is,  who  comes  from  the  fight,  as  near 
as  I  can  discover,  like  the  Benjaminite  of  the  Scripture,  just  es 
caped  from  the  Philistines,  with  head  bare  and  garments  rent." 

"I  must  leave  my  old  otter-skin  cap  in  their  hands,  I  s'pose," 
coolly  replied  Smith ;  "  I  had  to  take  it  to  finish  off  the  cata 
mount's  head  with ;  for  I  couldn't  fix  the  fox-fire  for  the  eyes 
into  the  end  of  that  bundle  of  dry  grass,  that  I  made  the  body  of, 
so  as  to  look  any  how  natural  without  it,  and  when  I  pushed  the 
tiling  out  of  the  crotch,  as  I  stood  behind  the  tree  with  my  pole, 
I  gave  it  such  a  hoist  over  into  the  bushes  among  the  scared 
devils,  that  'twas  out  of  the  question  to  think  of  looking  for  the 
cap,  and  grabbing  one  of  the  scamps  too.  But  as  to  my  coat  be 
ing  tore  here  a  little,  I  don't  valley  it  a  fraction,  seeing  as  how 
the  ragamuffin  I  hove  into  the  lake  got  pretty  well  choked  to  pay 
for  it." 

"Ah,  you  have  done  well,  Smith,"  said  the  leader;  "all  of 
you,  indeed,  have  done  nobly;  but  of  that  hereafter — one  of  our 
number  I  believe  is  missing — which  is  it  ?" 

1 '  It  is  Pete  Jones,"  replied  Brown. 

"  And  the  Indian  chap,"  added  Smith. 

"The  Indian,"  resumed  Warrington,  "after  announcing  tht 
enemy  for  us  by  his  admirable  imitation  of  the  owl,  departed  by 
himself,  I  presume.  As  near  as  I  could  gather  from  him,  he  did 
not  wish  to  be  known  as  acting  against  the  Yorkers.  He  proba 
bly  lives  with  some  famil^U*  the  Yuunita.  who  are  trying  to 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    DOTS.  21 

stand  neutral  in  this  warfare,  and  who  have  cautioned  him  to 
govern  himself  accordingly.  His  absence,  therefore,  does  not 
surprise  me.  But  what  can  have  become  of  Jones.  He  surely, 
is  not  a  fellow  to  be  easily  ensnared,  or  overpowered." 

"I  rather  suspect,"  replied  Brown,  he  is  after  that  traitor.  As, 
when  the  Yorkers  were  creeping  on  toward  the  cave,  he  whis-. 
pored  to  me  he  thought  he  saw  a  fellow  pointing  out  the  place, 
:md  slipping  back  over  the  hill,  who,  he  guessed,  was  tha 
one-j-and  the  last  I  saw  of  Pete  he  was  working  off  that  way. 
Suppose,  Captain,  that  we  row  along,  so  as  to  stand  off  the  shore, 
in  that  direction,  to  be  ready  to  take  him  in,  should  he  give  the 
word?" 

In  pursuance  of  this  prudent  suggestion,  the  boat  was  imme^ 
diately  headed  round  to  the  north,  and  rowed  noiselessly  along 
the  shore  in  the  direction  supposed  to  be  taken  by  their  missing 
companion.  They  had  made  but  little  progress,  however,  before 
they  were  startled  by  the  sudden  flash  and  sharp  report  of  a  pis 
tol,  in  a  thicket  near  the  shore,  about  a  furlong  ahead. 

"There  goes  trouble  for  poor  Jones,  I  fear — the  dastard  haa 
attempted  his  life!"  cried  Warrington,  in  the  varying  tones  of 
fear  for  the  result,  and  indignation  for  the  attempt ;  "  but  if  help 
be  of  any  further  use  to  him,  he  shall  have  it.  So,  men,  pull  for 
it !  pull  for  the  spot  with  every  nerve  you  have  got,  or  the  York 
ers  will  be  there  before  us." 

In  an  instant  the  canoe,  almost  leaping  from  its  element  at  every 
stroke  of  the  excited  and  strong-armed  oarsmen,  was  surging 
through  the  waters,  with  bird-like  velocity,  towards  the  place. 
As  Warrington  had  predicted,  the  enemy  on  shore,  on  hearing  the 
report  of  the  pistol,  immediately  started  for  this  new  scene  of  ac 
tion.  And,  quickly  perceiving  their  opponents  on  the  lake  making 
rapidly  for  the  spot,  they  redoubled  their  speed,  and  rushed  on  as 
fast  as  the  obstacles  of  the  woods,  and  the  wet  clothes  and  be 
numbed  limbs  of  those  who  had  been  ducked,  would  permit,  to  ar 
rive  in  time  to  assist,  or  rescue,  as  the  case  might  require,  their  ab 
sent  guide,  whom  they  readily  concluded  to  be  an  actor  in  the 
fracas,  and  revenge  themselves,  if  possible,  on  the  whole  band  of 
their  foes,  for  the  sad  discomfiture  just  experienced.  The  race  be 
tween  the  two  contending  parties  was  a  close  one.  The  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  however,  were  again  in  fortune.  Their  boat 
came  whirling  up  to  the  shore,  adjoining  the  scene  of  action, 
while  the  foremost  of  the  enemy  was  yet  fifty  yards  distant. 

4 'You  may  kick  till  all  is  blue*"  muttered  Jones,  whose  tall 


22  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

form  came  at  that  instant  peering  from  the  thicket,  while  with 
irregular  motions  he  made  toward  the  boat,  bearing  bolt  upright 
in  his  arms  before  him  his  grappled  foe,  who  was  struggling  with 
terrible  violence,  and  kicking  desperately  against  every  tree 
within  reach  of  his  feet,  with  the  hope  of  retarding  the  progress 
of  his  captor  till  succor  arrived  ;  "  you  may  kick,  and  he  hanged  ! 
but  you  have  jest  got  to  go,  my  sweet  lad,  and  into  a  little  better 
company,  too,  than  you  hoped  for,  I  guess.  No  help  for  it — so 
in  with  you — there! — now  make  yourself  comfortable,  friend," 
concluded  the  woodsman,  pitching  his  captive  headlong  into  the 
boat,  and  leaping  in  himself,  just  in  time  to  escape  the  pursuers, 
now  close  at  his  heels. 

"Escaped  again,  by  the  pains  of  tophet !"  exclaimed  the  en 
raged  Munroe  from  the  bank,  as  the  boat,  previously  headed 
round,  shot  out  into  the  lake  beyond  the  reach  of  the  twice 
baffled  Yorkers;  "  fire!  fire!  upon  the  damned  rascals!" 

The  command  was  scarcely  uttered,  before  Jones,  having  as 
quick  as  thought  again  grappled  his  captive,  and  faced  round  to 
ward  the  shore,  was  holding  the  deprecating  victim  before  him 
in  the  stern,  so  as  to  cover  the  range  of  the  expected  volley. 

"  Let  drive  there!"  exclaimed  Pete,  with  the  utmost  noncha 
lance,  "  you  needn't  feel  any  delicacy,  gentlemen,  for  I'll  agree 
to  take  all  the  bullets  you'll  send  through  this  beautiful  target 
I'm  holding  for  you." 

"Don't  fire!  for  God's  sake  don't  let  'em  fire,  Munroe!" 
screamed  the  struggling  and  terrified  prisoner. 

"  You  need  not  be  much  alarmed,  I  think,  fellow,"  said  "War- 
rington;  "  the  sheriff's  pistols  must  be  rather  too  wet  to  be  very 
dangerous,  and  as  to  the  arms  of  the  rest,  which  were  all  dis 
charged  at  the  catamount,  we  shall  have  but  little  to  fear  from 
them  by  the  time  they  can  be  loaded." 

"I  mistrusted  as  much,  myself,"  observed  Jones,  releasing  the 
prisoner;  "but  I  thought  I  would  scare  the  fellow  a  little,  for  his 
scurvy  treatment  to  me." 

"  The  pistol  we  heard,  then,  was  meant,  as  we  suspected,  for 
you?"  asked  the  leader. 

"  O,  yes,"  replied  the  other,  carelessly;  "to  be  sure  he  showed 
the  best  good  will  in  the  world  to  make  a  hole  in  me;  but  1 
shouldn't  have  laid  that  up  much,  seeing  he  missed  his  aim,  which 
is  a  sort  of  punishment  in  itself,  you  know,  if  he  hadn't  afterward 
offered  me  money  to  let  him  go,  and  keep  his  name  and  all  close 
—why,  I  never  was  so  insulted  in  my  life  1" 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  23 

"  His  name  ?  who  is  it  ?  what  is  his  name  ?"  eagerly  asked 
several  of  the  company. 

"Mayhap  you  from  down  south  never  heard  of  him,  and  don't 
know  him,  but  I  did,  the  moment  I  saw  his  face  as  he  passed  the 
fellow  bringimgf  the  torch-light.  His  name  is  Sherwood,  living 
down  in  New  Haven,  and  he  is  jest  one  of  the  smoothest  fellows 
that  ever  wore  two  faces  in  a  day,  asking  his  pardon." 

"Sherwood —Sherwood,"  said  Warrington,  musingly ;"  aha! 
I  now  remember  to  have  heard  of  his  having  been  at  Bennington. 
and  also  of  his  having  made  some  suspicious  visits  to  Albany. 
But  we  will  examine  his  merits  more  particularly,  when  we  reach 
the  opposite  shore." 

"  See  how  wishful  those  fellows  are  looking  after  us!  "  observ 
ed  Jones,  pointing  back  to  the  shore,  now  about  fifty  rods  dis 
tant,  where  the  Yorkers,  having  procured  a  light,  were  still 
standing  in  a  dark  group,  evidently  trying  to  trace  the  course  of 
the  receding  boat;  "I  swan!  if  I  was  only  bloody  minded 
enough,  how  I  would  like  to  take  a  shot  into  that  flock  of  York 
buzzards ! " 

"  Hold  up  a  little,  oarsmen,"  said  the  leader  ;  "and  we  will 
give  them  a  kinder  compliment  than  that,  before  entirely  part 
ing.  So  good  night,  Mr.  Munroe,"  he  continued,  rising  in  ths 
boat,  and  raising  his  loud  clear  voice  to  a  pitch,  which  in  the 
dead  stillness  of  night,  might  have  been  distinctly  audible  to  a 
far  greater  distance ;  "good  night!  my  old  friend — I  hope  for 
the  pleasure  of  many  such  meetings  and  partings  before  we  die — 
pleasant  dreams  and  a  good  night  to  you!  " 

"  Good  night,  sir  sheriff,"  added  Selden,  in  the  same  strain  of 
mock  courtesy;  "we  humbly  trust  you  will  duly  appreciate  our 
late  reception  of  yourself  and  fellows  in  imitation  of  the  much 
lauded  oriental  custom  of  regaling  friends  with  the  luxury  of  tv.e 
cool  bath,  which,  together  with  the  honor  done  you  of  being 
carried,  like  other  immortal  heroes,  on  the  shoulders  of  men, 
will  make  out  an  entertainment,  we  flatter  ourselves,  not  wholly 
unworthy  of  our  guests — good  night!  " 

"Hallo  there,  sheriff!"  cried  Jones,  determined  to  have  a 
parting  shot  as  well  as  the  rest  ;  "hallo,  sheriff,  wont  you  jest 
be  kind  enough  to  tell  us  by  way  of  information,  before  we  go, 
what  kind  of  a  return  you  calculate  to  make  on  that  warrant  you 
told  us  about.  We  should  like  grandly  to  see  it  when  you  have 
got  it  fixed.  That  'tother  poor  bothered  sheriff's  non  comcatilwf 
in  twampo,  I  guess,  would  be  a  fool  to  it." 


34  THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS, 


CHAPTEK  III. 


1  Ah,  me !  what  perils  do  environ 
The  man  that  meddles  with  cold  iron— 
What  plaguy  mischiefs  and  mishaps 
Do  dog  him  still  with  afterclaps." 


SHERWOOD,  the  person  we  introduced  in  the  last  chapter,  and 
left  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  a  fail- 
candidate  for  the  honor  of  the  Beech-seal,  or  some  other  of  the 
novel  and  ingenious  modes  of  punishment,  which  the  settlers 
were  accustomed  to  inflict  on  their  foes  with  equal  promptitude, 
whether  they  were  foreign  or  domestic,  was  a  resident  of  New 
Haven,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lower  falls  of  Otter  Creek,  then  em 
braced  within  the  limits  of  that  town,  but  now  forming  the  site 
of  Vergennes,  the  only  incorporated  city  of  Vermont.  He  had 
here  located  himself,  ostensively  to  become  a  permanent  settler 
— to  share  the  fortunes  and  identify  himself  with  the  interests  of 
the  New  Hampshire  grantees  ;  while  in  fact,  he  was  a  secret  agent 
of  a  company  of  New  York  land-jobbers,  in  their  pay,  and  him 
self  engaged,  at  the  same  time,  in  speculating  in  the  patents 
issued  by  the  governor  of  the  last  named  province.  Through  the 
influence  of  his  father,  a  man  of  reputed  wealth,  living  near  Al 
bany,  he  had  been  taken  into  the  employment  of  this  company. 

And  they,  soon  finding  him  a  person  well  fitted  for  their  pur 
poses,  induced  him,  by  opening  to  his  avaricious  mind  the  pros 
pect  of  making  a  fortune  out  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  in 
addition  to  the  stated  salary  to  be  allowed  him,  to  take  a  secret 
agency,  and  locate  himself  in  some  part  of  the  settlement  where 
he  would  most  effectually  subserve  their  interests.  In  pursuance 
of  this  object  it  had  been  agreed  that  he  should  first  proceed  to 
New  Hampshire,  and,  taking  out  a  patent  from  that  source, 
should  enter  Vermont  known  only  as  a  grantee  of  that  province, 
in  order  that  he  might  thus  be  effectually  secured  from  the  hos 
tility  of  the  settlers,  and  enabled  to  maintain  with  them  a  free 
and  unsuspected  intercourse,  which,  at  the  present  juncture, 
could  alone  insure  him  any  success  or  safety.  This  had  been  ao- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  26 

cordingly  done  something  more  than  a  year  previous  to  the  events 
of  our  tale.  A  single  lot  of  land  had  been  purchased  and  located 
by  him  near  the  Otter,  in  the  manner  agreed  on  by  the  company. 
And  so  speciously  had  this  wily  agent  conducted,  beginning  and 
carrying  on  improvements  just  sufficient  to  save  appearances, 
while  mainly  pursuing  the  objects  of  his  residence  in  the  settle 
ment,  that  till  now  he  had  passed  wholly  unsuspected  of  being  in 
the  York  interest,  except  in  the  slight  question  that  had  been 
raised  concerning  his  true  character,  on  account  of  his  having 
been  recognized  by  some  settlers  from  the  south  part  of  the 
Grants,  as  before  intimated,  while  on  one  of  his  secret  journeys 
to  Albany.  With  these  remarks,  which  will  apprize  the  reader 
with  all  that  may  at  present  be  necessary  to  be  known  respecting 
the  previous  character  and  employment  of  this  personage,  we 
will  return  to  the  thread  of  our  narrative. 

Brightly  rose  the  waning  moon  over  the  eastern  mountains, 
which  cast  their  broad,  wood-fringed  shadows  far  into  the  lake, 
while  a  flood  of  silvery  light,  falling  on  the  sleeping  waters  and 
towering  forest  beyond,  was  gradually  unfolding  the  bold  and 
magnificent  outlines  of  this  wilderness  landscape,  as  our  victori 
ous  band  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  merrily  sped  their  way  to  the 
western  shore. 

"What  a  glorious  spectacle!"  exclaimed  Selden,  looking 
abroad,  over  the  scene,  as  the  boat  emerged  from  the  dark 
gloomy  line  of  the  mountain  shadows  into  the  bright  and  cheer 
ful  tract  of  illumined  waters,  that  now  met  them  on  their  course. 

"  Splendid?  splendid,  indeed  !"  responded  Warrington,  with 
equal  enthusiasm ;  ' ;  such  scenes,  one  would  think,  were  enough 
to  enamour  the  whole  world  of  a  sylvan  life."  — -> 

"And  yet,"  observed  Selden,  ;;  those  city  smoked  exquisites, 
who  claim  all  the  taste  and  refinement  of  the  country,  are  horrid 
fied  at  the  thought  of  the  life  we  here  lead  in  the  Green) 
Mountains." 

"I  don't  think  the  creturs  are  so  much  to  be  blamed  for  that," 
said  Pete  Jones  ;  "  for  bringing  them  here  I  calculate  would  be 
putting  them  pretty  nearly  in  the  plight  of  frogs  that  are  dug 
from  the  bottom  of  a  well — always  sure  to  shiver  and  die  the 
minute  they  are  brought  to  the  pure  air." 

"  If  all  this  be  so,"  rejoined  Warrington,  significantly  glancing 
at  the  dress  and  comparatively  delicate  appearance  of  the  prison 
er  ;  "I  hope  that  such  of  this  class,  as  are  connected  with  a  cer 
tain  city  to  the  west  of  us,  will  be  less  inclined  to  favor  our  set- 


58  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

tlemen £  with  their  presence  hereafter.  Let  them  stick  to  theii 
mode  of  life  and  its  luxuries,  and  we  will  to  our  mountains. 
But  I  am  reminded,  Lieutenant,"  he  continued,  turning  gaily  tc 
Selden,  "of  the  possibility  of  our  being  favored  with  something 
on  this  subject  in  a  more  agreeable  form,  if  I  rightly  divined  the 
nature  of  your  employment,  and  the  theme  that  occupied  your 
mind  there  at  the  fire  before  the  cave  last  evening,  after  the  rest 
of  us  had  retired  to  our  stone  couches  for  the  night.  Can  you 
oblige  us  with  the  fruits  of  your  vigil,  in  the  shape  of  a  song  ? " 
"  O,  yes,  such  as  it  is — that  is,  if  my  music  will  not  jar  upon 
the  feelings  of  our  friend  in  durance  here,  and  you  are  all  willing 
to  risk  the  same  effect  on  yourselves,"  jocosely  replied  the  other, 
as  he  pulled  from  his  pocket  a  small  roll  of  white  birch  bark,  (the 
soft,  smooth  inner  surface  of  which  he  had  made,  as  was  in  those 
times  not  unfrequently  the  case,  his  papyrus  in  noting  down  his 
hasty  effusion,)  and  turning  to  the  moonlight,  commenced  : 

In  the  courts  of  high  life,  and  in  Fashion's  domain, 
Where  Folly  is  licensed  by  birth-right  to  reign, 
Let  the  gay  idle  throng,  in  their  old  reckless  measure. 
Their  phantoms  still  follow,  and  christen  them  Pleasure. 

But  we,  who  disdain  not  to  follow  the  plough, 
And  our  livelihood  gain  by  the  sweat  of  the  brow — 
What  have  we  here  to  do  with  the  fashions  of  cities  ? 
Their  levees,  theatrics,  and  opera  ditties  ? 

What  to  do  with  the  trappings  around  them  displayed  ? 
Their  half  dress,  their  full  dress,  their  dress  promenade— 
Their  turtle-soup  dinners,  their  port  and  champagne, 
And  knick-knacks  unnumbered  that  follow  in  train? 

All  these  we  will  leave,  and  without  one  regret, 
To  the  poor  pamper'd  wights  of  that  butterfly  set, 
And  turn  to  our  dainties,  the  fruits  of  our  mountains, 
Our  wines  sparkling  up  in  their  health-giving  fountains. 

And  wear  with  just  pride,  as  forever  we  ought, 
Our  woollens  and  checks  by  our  fire-sides  wrought, 
While  we  scout  from  our  country  those  exquisite  goats 
Who  measure  their  worth  by  the  cloth  of  their  coats. 

Aa  the  clear,  melodious  voice  of  the  singer,  floating  free  and 
wide  over  the  hushed  waters  of  the  lake,  died  away  in  the 
distance,  and,  while  the  shouts  of  applause,  which  greeted  him 
at  the  close  of  his  performance,  (intended,  as  was  supposed,  to  hit 
off  the  York  gentry,  and  the  last  couplet  to  apply  to  the  prisoner 
in  particular, )  were  yet  echoing  around,  the  boat  of  the  elated 
Green  Mountain  Boys  reached  its  destined  landing.  And  imme 
diately  disembarking  Avith  their  prisoner,  they  proceeded  to  a 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN     BOYS.  27 

rude,  bark-covered  shantcc,  built  by  former  visitors  to  the  lake, 
and  standing  amidst  a  group  of  large  evergreens  a  few  rods  from 
the  water.  There,  after  striking  a  light  and  kindling  up  a  cheer 
ful  fire,  they  promptly  set  about  the  business  of  deciding  upon 
the  case  of  the  supposed  traitor.  For  this  purpose  they  formally 
resolved  themselves,  as  was  usual  in  such  cases  where  a  resort 
could  not  readily  be  had  to  a  committee  of  safety,  into  a  sort  of 
tribunal,  very  nearly  resembling,  we  suppose,  a  modern  Lynch 
court,  a  form  of  dispensing  justice  which,  if  ever  justifiable,  was 
undoubtedly  so  in  the  acts  of  our  early  settlers  in  resisting  that 
system  of  legalized  plunder  attempted  to  be  enforced  on  them  by 
their  oppressors.  And  if  the  right  of  defending  their  homes  and 
possessions  from  unwarrantable  seizures  be  conceded  them,  it 
was  certainly  not  only  justifiable  but  honorable  in  them  to  resort, 
as  they  did,  to  such  measures  as  they  judged  most  effectual  in 
shielding  from  arrest  and  threatened  punishment  those  of  their 
fellow  settlers,  who,  by  their  patriotism  in  the  common  cause, 
had  rendered  themselves  obnoxious  to  the  arbitrary  enactments 
of  the  usurping  government.  For  soon  after  the  settlers  had 
begun  openly  to  resist  the  authorities  of  New  York  in  attempting 
to  dispossess  them,  a  law,  more  despotic  perhaps  than  any  to  be 
found  in  the  annals  of  legislation,  had  been  enacted  by  the  As 
sembly  of  that  province  requiring  some  six  or  eight  of  the  settlers, 
who  had  been  most  conspicuous  in  the  controversy,  to  surrender 
themselves,  on  the  order  of  the  executive,  within  seventy  days,  k 
to  a  magistrate  for  imprisonment,  and,  in  case  of  neglect,  to  be 
adjudged  convicted,  and,  without  hearing  or  trial,  condemned  to 
suffer  death.  And  not  delivering  themselves  up,  as  might  well 
be  expected,  the  governor  issued  his  proclamation  proscribing 
them  as  felons,  and  offering  large  rewards  for  their  apprehension, 
which,  while  it  led  to  many  secretly  laid  plots,  and  several  open 
though  fruitless  attempts  te  seize  them  by  the  Yorkers,  in  concert 
with  a  few  traitorous  settlers,  served  only  to  endear  them  to  an 
indignant  and  aroused  people,  who  publicly  resolved  to  protect  at 
every  hazard  their  proscribed  leaders,  and  at  the  same  time  pre 
pare  to  defend  the  general  interest  of  the  settlement  even  at  the 
price  of  their  lives.  Of  this  goodly  company  of  outlaws,  em 
bracing  some  of  the  first  and  most  talented  men  of  the  Grants, 
two,  as  before  intimated,  were  among  the  band  whom  we  have 
introduced  to  the  reader,  and  to  whom  we  will  now  return. 

Pete  Jones,  the  principal  witness  in  the  case  now  to  be  decided, 
being  called  on  for  his  Icstiraonv,  related  at  large  and  in  his  o\\u 


28  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

rein  of  peculiar  drollery,  what  he  knew  of  the  previous  life  and 
character  of  the  prisoner,  who,  it  appeared,  had  been  frequently 
absent  from  home,  though  his  excursions  were  generally  under 
taken  under  the  professod  character  of  a  sportsman,  for  the  em 
ployments  of  which  he  pretended  a  great  liking,  but  for  what 
reason  nobody  could  imagine,  as  it  never  could  be  ascertained 
that  he  was  ever  successful.  It  also  appeared  that  he  had  been 
loud  in  his  denunciations  against  the  Yorkers,  and,  as  far  as 
words  could  go,  a  great  stickler  for  the  rights  of  the  settlers. 
The  witness  then  related  all  the  particulars  of  his  detecting  and 
capturing  the  prisoner.  After  this  the  accused  was  requested  to 
make  his  defence,  when,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  he  wholly  denied 
any  hostile  intention,  or  any  willing  participation  in  the  recent 
attempt  of  Munroe  to  surprise  and  seize  the  present  party  at  the 
cave,  deliberately  stating  that  while  hunting  in  the  woods  near 
the  Creek  that  afternoon,  he  was  met,  made  prisoner  by  the 
Yorkers,  and  compelled  to  accompany  them  on  their  expedition, 
the  object  of  which  they  did  not  reveal  to  him.  And  in  confirm 
ation  of  the  truth  of  his  statements,  and  of  his  asserted  inno 
cence,  he  cited  the  general  character  he  had  always  sustained  as 
a  friend  of  the  settlers. 

"  Do  you  generally  manifest  your  friendship  for  the  settlers  by 
firing  pistols  at  their  heads,  sir  ? "  asked  Warrington,  casting  a 
look  of  withering  contempt  on  the  prisoner. 

"  O,  I  was  trying  to  escape,"  replied  Sherwood,  who  had  his 
ready  answer  to  a  question  he  had  anticipated;  "I  was  on  the 
point  of  escaping,  and  discharged  my  pistol  at  this  man,  who 
beset  me,  to  prevent  being  retaken,  supposing  him  all  the  while 
to  be  one  of  the  Yorkers." 

"Whew  !  "  uttered  Jones,  with  a  whistle,  prolonged  into  an 
exclamation;  "now,  honestly,  friend,  I  must  crave  leave  to  tell 
you — but  that  wouldn't  be  manners,  and  so  I  won't — though  I 
should  really  like  to  ask  you  if  there  was  any  one  Yorker  there 
to-night  that  a  fellow  of  my  short  stature — only  six  foot  eleven, 
in  shirt  flaps — could  be  taken  for  with  any  sort  of  conscience  ?  " 

"Yes,  in  the  dark." 

"But  you  may  remember,  possibly  friend,  that  you  had  to 
raise  your  pistol  considerably  higher  than  your  head  to  get  aim 
at  mine,  which  you  seemed  to  fancy  shooting  at  in  preference. 
Besides  that,  we  took  what  I  call  a  fair  measure  of  lengths  on 
the  ground  in  the  bit  of  grapple  we  had  afterwards — now  most 


THE    GREEX    MOUMTAIN    BOYS.  29 

folks  that  I  am  acquainted  with  can  feel  in  the  dark,  if  they 
can't  see." 

"  O,  I  was  so  confused  and  frightened,  that  I  noticed  none  of 
these  circumstances,  but  really  supposed  it  was  one  of  the  York 
ers  till  you  had  got  with  me  nearly  to  the  boat." 

"Well,  now,"  exclaimed  Pete,  dropping  his  head  in  affected 
chagrin  ;  "  I  vow  to  Jeremiah,  I  never  felt  so  mortified  in  my  life! 
To  be  taken  for  a  Yorker!  only  think  of  that!  " 

"A  sad  mistake,  truly,"  observed  Selden,  addressing  his  com 
panions  while  in  a  side  glance  he  kept  an  eye  keenly  fixed  on  the 
prisoner;  "but  still  it  was  scarcely  a  more  singular  one  than  I 
made  as  we  struck  a  light  just  now,  when,  turning  to  look  at  this 
man,  I  could  have  sworn  he  was  the  identical  fellow  we  detected 
skulking  about  the  shore  yesterday — the  make,  motion,  and  dress 
of  the  two  being  so  very  similar." 

"That's  false !  "  hastily  exclaimed  Sherwood,  completely  thrown 
off  his  guard  by  the  round  about  way,  and  designedly  incorrect 
statement  of  the  other,  made  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  its  effect 
on  the  prisoner;  "that's  false  for  this  was  not  the  dress  I  wore 
yest —  "  and  he  stopped  short  in  visible  confusion  at  the  thought 
of  the  admission  he  was  inadvertently  making;  while  meaning 
and  triumphant  glances  were  exchanged  among  the  company. 
Soon  recovering  in  some  degree  his  self-possession,  however,  and 
seeing  how  he  had  been  entrapped,  he  attempted  to  mend  the 
matter  by  explaining  that  he  was  about  to  say  that  this  was  not 
the  dress  he  wore  yesterday,  even  had  he  been  here,  instead  of  a 
dozen  miles  off,  as  he  was,  and  could  prove,  as  well  as  his  inno 
cence  of  all  the  charges  brought  against  him,  if  time  were  but  al 
lowed  him  for  the  purpose.  And  this,  or  his  acquittal,  he  con 
tinued  for  some  time  to  demand,  becoming,  however,  every  mo 
ment  less  assured  in  his  tone,  and  more  abject  in  his  manner,  as 
he  stealthily  glanced  round,  and  read  his  doom  in  the  counte 
nances  of  his  judges. 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  leader,  breaking  the  brief  interval 
of  silence,  which  followed  the  last  somewhat  broken  and  con 
fused  remarks  of  the  accused;  "you  have  heard  the  evidence 
against  the  prisoner,  as  well  as  his  defence  and  avowals  of  inno 
cence.  Will  you  offer  your  individual  opinions  on  the  question  of 
his  guilt  ?  And  we  will  first  hear  what  you  may  have  to  offer  on 
the  subject,  Mr.  Jones  ?  " 

"Why,  I  don't  know  exactly  about  the  chap,  Captain,"  sav3 
the  latter,  with  a  jnischievioua  cockiu«  of  one  eye,  while  scre-vy 


30  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

ing  up  his  mouth  nearly  to  his  ear  on  the  opposite  side  of  his 
face ;  "he  says  he  is  innocent  of  the  traitor,  and  it  is  a  poor  story 
if  he  don't  know.  But  I  have  two  other  charges  against  him, 
which  I  consider  rather  gravus.  Firstly,  according  to  his  own 
story,  he  suffered  himself,  with  that  clean  pair  of  legs  of  his,  and 
the  woods  open  for  a  run,  if  lie  chose  that,  or  with  guns  and  pis 
tols  if  he  chose  to  stand  and  fight — (now  while  I  think  on't,  I 
wonder  what  become  of  his  gun) — he  suffered  himself,  I  say,  to 
be  taken  by  the  Yorkers  in  a  way  and  manner  which  is  a  burning 
shame  to  a  Green  Mountain  Boy,  if  so  be  he  is  one,  as  he  pre 
tends.  And  secondly  he  missed  his  aim  when  he  levelled  at  my 
head,  for  which  a  professed  hunter  like  himself  ought  to  be 
ridiculous.  So  I  think,  considering,  I  shall  vote  to  have  him 
viewed."* 

"  And  you,  Smith,  what  is  your  verdict  ?  " 

"  My  opinion  is,"  answered  the  man  now  addressed,  "  that  the 
fellow's  plausible  palaver  is  all  nothing  but  a  made  up  mess  to 
bamboozle  us  with — I  should  like  to  know  how  the  Yorkers  knew 
that  we  were  here  on  the  lake,  or  how  they  happened  to  find  the 
cave  without  his  help.  The  fact  is,  he  brought  them  here  to 
seize  us,  and  was  probably  calculating  to  see  some  of -us  swinging 
on  a  York  gallows  within  a  week.  My  verdict,  therefore,  will 
be  pretty  much  such  a  one  as  the  king  gave  Haman." 

"And  what  say  you,  Brown  ?  " 

"  Guilty!  guilty  as  a  dog,  and  the  liar  knows  it.  J 

"And,  lastly,  your  opinion,  Mr.  Selden  ?  " 

"  Briefly  told — that  the  fellow's  guilt  is  equalled  only  by  his 
effrontery,  and  yet,  as  this  is  his  first  known  offence,  I  would  re 
commend  a  milder  punishment  than  the  one  which  has  been 
hinted  at." 

"We  are  unanimous,  then,  in  a  verdict,  gentlemen,"  observed 
the  chief,  "  if  I  understand  your  various  modes  of  expressing 
your  opinions.  And  it  remains  only  to  determine  in  what  man 
ner  the  prisoner  shall  be  punished  for  his  offence.  You  are  all, 
including  the  prisoner  himself,  I  presume,  well  aware  that,  by  a 
decree  of  our  Convention,  the  only  source  of  law  we  feel  our 
selves  bound  to  regard  in  cases  of  this  kind,  the  crime  of  aiding 
the  enemy  to  arrest  one  of  our  citizens,  who  may  have  happened 
to  fall  under  the  ban  of  that  despotic  edict  by  which  they  would 
terrify  us  into  submission,  is  made  punishable  with  death.  If  this 
were  to  be  inflicted,  however,  on  the  prisoner,  I  should  be  inclined 

*  A  cant  phrase  among  the  settlers,  signifying  the  punishment  of  offenders? 


THE    QREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYtf.  31 

to  grant  him  a  more  formal  trial,  before  a  regularly  appointed 
committee  of  safety,  and  allow  him  time  for  his  defence,  as  ho 
requests — not  that  I  have  the  least  doubt  of  his  guilt,  for  I  believe 
him  to  be  the  most  previous  compound  of  duplicity  and  villany 
that  I  have  seen  in  the  settlement,  but  I  would  grant  it  on  the  prin 
ciple  of  allowing  every  man  the  best  means  to  establish  his  inno 
cence,  when  his  life  is  at  stake.  Yet,  concurring  with  Mr.  Selden, 
I  think  we  had  better  adopt  one  of  the  ordinary  modes  of  punish 
ment,  for  which  the  evidence  is  abundantly  sufficient,  administer  it 
on  the  spot,  and  dismiss  him  with  the  admonition  it  will  give. 
What  this  punishment  shall  be,  I  will  leave  to  you  to  designate." 

"I should  like  to  have  the  title  of  my  farm  confirmed,"  said 
Smith,  "seeing  the  Yorkers  still  continue  to  dispute  it,  and  as  the 
Beech -seal  is  a  sort  of  legal  instrument  to  do  it  with,  they  say,  I 
vote  that  we  apply  it." 

"  Just  the  thing  for  the  double-faced  scoundrel,  if  we  have  got 
to  let  him  off  so  cheap,"  bluntly  remarked  Brown. 

"My  title  to  my  head,"  said  Pete  Jones,  "  seems  to  be  rather 
questioned,  and  as  it  is  an  article  that  would  be  dreadful  incon 
venient  for  me  to  be  without,  I  motion  that  it  be  confirmed  too." 

"  So  be  it,  then,"  observed  Selden;  "I  had,  it  is  true,  thought 
of  a  ducking,  that  he  might  bo  enabled  to  sympathize  with  his 
friends  over  the  lake — I  also  had  thought  of  taking  him  up  into 
the  top  of  one  of  those  trees,  and  leaving  him  bound  there  for  the 
night  ;  but  neither  of  these  punishments,  probably,  would  so 
nearly  come  up  to  the  fellow's  merits  as  the  beechen  remedy.  I 
will  therefore  agree  to  its  application." 

The  prisoner's  doom  being  thus  unanimously  settled,  preparations 
were  immediately  commenced  for  carrying  the  sentence  into  effect. 
This  was  understood  to  be,  in  the  quaint  phrase  of  the  times,  "  a 
chastisement  with  the  twigs  of  the  wilderness^  or  the  usual  number 
of  stripes,  forty,  save  one,  faithfully  applied  to  the  back  of  the 
offender  with  a  green  beech  rod,  termed,  as  before  mentioned,  the 
Beech-seal.  Several  rods,  or  shoots  of  that  thus  oddly  consecrated 
tree,  were  accordingly  selected,  cut,  and  carefully  trimmed  for  the 
purpose.  The  prisoner  was  then,  in  despite  of  his  alternate  threats, 
and  promises  of  good  behavior  in  future,  stripped  of  his  coat,  and 
firmly  bound  to  the  body  of  a  large  hemlock,  with  his  face  turned 
to  the  tree.  Every  thing  being  now  in  readiness  for  the  execu^xm 
of  the  sentence,  the  question  arose  wiio  should  be  the  executioner. 
For  this  honor  two  rival  candidates  now  presented  themselves— 
Brown  and  Pete  Jones— the  former  claiming  it  on  the  ground  that 


32  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

no  one  of  the  present  company  had  received  injuries  that  so  loudly 
demanded  a  personal  reciprocation  as  his  own,  and  the  latter,  with 
the  greatest  apparent  gravity,  contending  that  it  was  his  peculiar 
right  to  do  the  duty  of  punishing  the  fellow  for  the  unpardonable 
crime  of  missing  his  aim,  since  the  shot  was  intended  for  his  own 
benefit. 

The  altercation,  however,  was  settled  by  the  interposition  of 
their  leader,  who  good  naturedly  awarded  a  division  of  the  honors 
between  them,  directing  that  the  first  twenty  stripes  should  be 
given  by  Jones,  while  Brown  should  be  allowed  the  privilege  of 
completing  the  task. 

In  accordance  with  this  arrangement,  the  tall  woodsman  now 
seized  a  rod  of  his  own  preparing,  of  dimensions  fearfully  porten- 
tious  to  the  back  of  the  trembling  culprit,  and  giving  it  a  furious 
flourish  in  the  air,  he  commenced,  with  a  look  of  terrible  fierceness, 
the  performance  of  his  alotted  task.  But  malice  and  revenge 
formed  no  part  of  the  character  of  this  jolly  and  good  natured 
borderer.  The  manner  in  which  the  blows  were  given,  and  the 
comparatively  slight  effect  they  produced  on  their  victim,  made 
it  very  evident,  that,  notwithstanding  all  his  assumed  wrath  and 
fury  of  countenance  and  manner,  his  humanity,  combined  with  a 
natural  love  of  sport,  which  had  doubtless  led  him  to  solicit  the 
office,  was  about  to  govern  him  in  its  execution. 

"  Well,  here  is  my  respects  to  you,  friend,"  he  said,  commenc 
ing  and  keeping  up  a  sort  of  loose,  irregular  discourse,  and  count 
ing  the  blows  in  a  parenthetical  tone,  as  with  mighty  grins  and 
flourishes,  he  proceeded  to  apply  the  typical  beech ;  ' '  there  is  my 
respects  to  you,  (one)  miss  your  aim  again,  you  lubber,  eh  ?  (two) 
I  told  you  that  you  shouldn't  disgrace  the  cloth  for  nothing, 
(three)  and  then  (four)  those  kicks,  (five)  I  thought  at  the  time 
(six)  that  you  was  kicking  against  the  pricks,  (seven,  eight)  so  here 
is  two  pricks  to  every  kick,  (eight,  nine)  scurvy  business  that  of 
you,  friend,  (nine,  ten,)  that  kicking  against  the  trees,  (eleven, 
twelve)  you  didn't  consider  (seven — no,  eleven)  what  a  hurry  I  was 
in,  (twelve,  thirteen)  and  then  again  that  offering  me  money, 
zounds,  sir!  (thirteen,  fourteen)  I  should  like  (fourteen)  to  know, 
sir—" 

"  There!  there  !  "  hastily  exclaimed  the  prisoner,  who  had  not 
been  so  much  hurt  amidst  all  this  parade  of  cuts  and  flourishes  as 
to  prevent  his  taking  note  of  the  true  number  of  the  stripes  which 
had  been  administered,  and  which  the  mischief-loving  woodsman 


1HE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  83 

had  wilfully  miscounted ;  "  hold — you  have  already  struck  twenty 
—hold !  I  say." 

"You  don't  say  so?"  replied  Jones  with  affected  surprise,  as 
he  slowly  lowered  his  uplifted  arm;  "  why  I  thought  I  said  four 
teen — only  fourteen  last.!  " 

"  I  care  not  if  you  did,  sir,"  expostulated  the  prisoner,  now  bold 
from  the  consciousness  of  having  at  last  a  little  truth  on  his  side; 
"  you  miscounted  on  purpose  to  prolong  my  torture — I  appeal  to 
the  company — you  have  gone  your  twenty,  I  tell  you,  ruffian!  " 

"Have!  well,  friend,  just  as  you  say,  not  as  I  care." 

So  saying,  the  eccentric,  but  kind-hearted  woodsman  hurled 
his  rod  into  the  lake,  and  bounding  off  into  the  woodst  with  the 
pretended  object  of  procuring  some  better  rods  for  the  use  of  his 
successor,  but,  in  reality,  only  to  avoid  the  sight  and  sounds 
which,  from  the  determined  character  and  exasperated  feelings 
of  the  man,  he  rightly  anticipated  would  now  follow,  disappeared, 
with  a  finger  thrust  into  each  ear,  in  a  neighboring  thicket. 

The  flagellation  was  now  resumed.  And  never  was  rod  more 
effectually  applied  to  the  deserving  back  of  a  miscreant  spy  or 
traitor  than  now  by  the  sinewy  arm  of  Brown,  doubly  nerved  as 
it  was  by  the  keen  sense  he  harbored  of  the  injuries  he  had  already 
received  from  the  hands  of  those  with  whom  the  present  victim  of 
his  pent  vengeance  had  been  found  leagued,  to  assist  in  dragging 
him  to  a  gallows,  and  thus  completing,  on  his  person,  the  work  of 
destruction  which  they  had  before  commenced  on  his  property. 
With  a  pause  at  every  application  of  the  rod,  that  no  energy 
should  be  lost  or  weakened  by  the  exertion,  slow  and  measured 
fell  the  tremendous  blows  from  his  relentless  arm,  till  he  had  told 
out  the  full  number  assigned  him;  while  at  every  lash  of  the 
pliant  and  close  hugging  instrument  of  torture,  the  writhing 
victim  sent  forth  a  screech  of  agony  that  thrilled  through  the 
forest  for  miles  around  him. 

This  painful  frisk  being  performed — for  painful  it  was  to  most 
of  the  band,  while  the  stern  necessity  that  required  it  was 
sincerely  regretted  by  them  all — the  prisoner  was  unbound,  and 
with  an  earnest  but  kind  admonition  from  Warrington  to  profit 
by  the  lesson  he  had  received,  set  at  liberty;  when,  muttering 
many  a  bitter  execration,  and  breathing  vows  of  deadliest  re 
venge  on  his  captors,  he  sullenly  departed,  from  the  camp,  and 
soon  disappeared  along  the  border  of  the  lake  in  a  northern 
direction. 


34  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   130 TS. 


CHAPTER 


"  That  strain  again!  it  had  a  dying  fall! 
Oh,  it  came  o'er  my  ear  like  the  sweet  south 
That  breathes  upon  a  bank  of  violets, 
Stealing  and  giving  odor." 


AFTEE  the  departure  of  Sherwood,  our  band,  not  deeming  it 
prudent,  without  precautions  which  must  necessarily  deprive  most 
of  them  of  their  rest  for  the  night,  to  encamp  so  near  an  exaspe 
rated  enemy  of  double  their  own  numbers,  determined  on  an 
immediate  removal  from  the  scene  of  their  recent  exploits. 
Accordingly  they  packed  up,  and  without  further  delay,  com 
menced  their  march  by  the  beautiful  moonlight,  which,  streaming 
brightly  through  the  leafless  forest,  enabled  them  to  pursue  their 
way  with  as  much  ease  and  certainty  as  by  the  broadest  day  light. 
Striking  off  westerly  from  the  lake  they  directed  their  course  to 
the  nearest  part  of  Otter  Creek,  where  they  proposed  procuring 
quarters  for  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  the  log  houses  of  the 
only  two  families  who  resided  on  the  Creek  in  that  vicinity. 
These  two  houses  were  situated  nearly  a  mile  apart,  while  the 
respective  openings  around  them,  were  separated  by  a  dense 
wood  of  evergreens  of  about  half  that  distance  in  extent.  After 
proceeding  on  together  awhile,  the  company  separated  into  two 
parties,  three  of  them  bending  their  course  towards  the  lowest, 
or  more  northerly  opening,  where  they  were  to  remain  till  joined 
in  the  morning  by  their  leader,  to  conduct  them  on  their  enter 
prise  down  the  Creek ;  while  the  latter,  with  Selden,  taking  their 
venison  and  a  goodly  portion  of  their  trout,  continued  forward 
directly  to  the  upper  clearing.  This  last  was  no  other  than  the 
residence  of  the  fair  and  spirited  friend,  whose  timely  notice  had 
not  only  ensured  their  late  escape,  but  enabled  them  to  gain  such 
triumphant  advantages  over  their  foes.  And  it  was  this  friendly 
and  patriotic  act  which  they  were  now  proceeding  to  reward,  not 
only  with  suitable  acknowledgement,  but  with  the  most  valuable 
portion  of  their  game — an  offering  that  they  supposed  would  be 
highly  acceptable  to  one  in  her  situation ;  for  this  extraordinary 


TIIE   GREKN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  35 

woman, *  with  no  other  dependence  than  on  her  own  hands,  with 
the  slight  assistance  rendered  her  by  her  boys,  the  eldest  of  whom 
was  not  a  dozen  years  old,  was  managing  to  support  herself  and 
her  large  family  of  children  from  the  products   of  a  new  lot  of 
land  which  her  husband  had  commenced  clearing  when  he  lost 
his  life  by  the  fall  of  a  tree,  and  which  she  now  with  unexampled   / 
fortitude  persisted  in  improving,  though  in  the  heart  of  a  wil-  / 
derness  infested  with  wild  beasts,  and  not  wholly  exempt  from  | 
the  hostile,  or  at  least  predatory  incursions  of  the  Indians.     It| 
was    nearly    midnight   when   Warrington    and    his   companion 
reached  the  log  tenement  of  this  fearless  daughter  of  the  wilds. 
Much  to  their  surprise  they  found   the  house  entirely  deserted. 
Finding  the  door  unfastened,  however,  they  determined  on  enter 
ing  to  note  appearances  within;  when  it  became  evident  that  the 
desertion  had  taken  place  but  a  few  hours  before ;  but  whether 
it  was  intended  for  a  temporary  or  final  removal  they  were  un 
able  to  determine.     A  bed  of  coals,  yet  alive,  was  raked  up  on 
the  hearth;  while  the  beds  had  been  taken  from  the  steads,  and, 
with  all  the  most  necessary  utensils  of  family  use,  removed  from 
the  house. 

"What  means  this  sudden  desertion  of  the  family  ?  "  observed 
Warrington,  musingly;  "  and  whither  can  they  have  fled  ?  " 

"To  their  neighbor's,  down  the  Creek,  probably,"  replied  Sel- 
den;  "the  movement  has  been  made,  I  should  conjecture,  in 
anticipation  of  the  return  of  Munroe  and  his  party,  from  whose 
visit  to-night,  a  lone  woman,  like  this  widow,  would  doubtless 
wish  to  be  excused." 

' '  It  may  be  so, "  rejoined  the  other,  ' '  but  to  quit  her  home  from    / 
any  of  the  motives  which  you  suggest  would  be  very  little  like   I 
widow  Story ;  there  are  few  men  in  this  settlement  who  can  handle  I 
not  only  axe,  but  rifle,  with  more  effect,   though  woman  she  be. 
And  as  for  fear,  it  is  a  sensation  with  which,  I  verily  believe,  she 
is  utterly  unacquainted.     But  whatever  may  have  become  of  the 
occupants  of  the  house,  we  may  as  well,  now  we  are   here,  make 
free  and  remain  for  the  night." 

"It  will  be  considered  no  intrusion,  I  suppose  ?"  enquiringly 
said  Selden;  "  I  have  not  the  honor  of  an  acquaintance  with  your 
heroine,  you  will  bear  in  mind." 

"Intrusion  ?  not  in  the  least;  for  you  must  know  that  we  are 

*  An  old  settler,  to  whom  Mrs.  Story  anil  her  cave  were  personally  known,  de 
scribed  her  to  the  author  as  "  a  busting  <jreat  woman,  who  would  cut  off  a  two  foot 
loy  as  quick  as  any  mail  in  the  settlement." 


36  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS 

patriots  here,  --rebels  or  whatever  we  were  on  the  lake  to-night," 
jocosely  replied  Warrington. 

"Patriotism,"  said  Selden,  following  up  the  train  of  thought 
which  the  last  remark  suggested,  "would  secin  enterely  a  rela 
tive  term,  and  like  beauty,  which  consists  of  black  teeth,  thick 
lips  and  large  eyes  with  one  nation,  and  exactly  the  reverse  with 
another,  wholly  dependent  on  the  pre-existing  opinions  of  those 
who  claim  it  for  this  action,  and  deny  it  in  that.  Besides  this,  as 
tlie  world  estimate  actions,  success  would  seem  to  be  quite  as 
essential  to  constitute  the  patriot  as  the  merits  of  his  cause  or 
the  glory  of  his  deeds.  Here,  with  the  settlers,  you  are  indeed 
called  a  patriot,  and  surely  there  is  no  one  who  better  deserves 
from  them  the  appellation;  while  with  the  people  of  New  York 
you  are  a  rebel,  outlaw,  and  hunted  like  a  wild  beast.  And  yet, 
if  our  cause  prove  successful,  as  Heaven  grant  it  may,  the  world 
at  large,  corning  in  as  umpire,  will  side  with  the  settlers  in  estab 
lishing  your  name  as  a  patriot;  but  if  we  fail  it  will  join  with 
your  foes  in  declaring  you  a  rebel  and  reckless  factionist." 

"Names  and  definitions,  Selden,  may  be  sometimes  vague  and 
varying,  but  principles  are  immutable.  The  principles  which 
actuate  us  in  resisting  these  encroachments  on  our  rights,  are  the 
same  that  have  animated  the  bosoms  of  all  those  whom  the  world 
agree  in  calling  patriots,  from  the  beginning  of  oppression  to  the 
present  time.  The  disposition  to  defend  our  homes  and  property, 
besides  being  implanted  in  our  bosoms  as  a  law  of  our  nature, 
indispensable  to  our  self -protection,  and  even  existence  in  the- 
world,  seems  to  have  been  ordained  by  Providence  also  as  the 
natural  means  by  which  the  rapacity  of  tyrants  should  be  pun 
ished.  This,  indeed,  is  the  only  protection  ensured  to  industrj 
and  virtue — it  constitutes  the  grand  cement  of  society,  and  the 
main  pillars  of  all  government.  This  is  the  foundation  of  patri 
otism,  which  consists  only  in  the  defence  of  justly  acquired  rights 
against  wrongful  agressions.  In  our  case,  the  opinions  of  the 
world  may  indeed  be  various  and  fluctuating  till  our  rights  become 
fairly  understood,  and  the  wrongs  we  have  received  as  fairly 
developed.  But  should  men  of  the  intelligence  to  know,  and  the 
spirit  to  defend  their  rights,  stand  tamely  still,  and  see  those 
rights  wrested  from  them,  to  be  placed  forever  beyond  their 
recovery,  while  hesitating  to  know  whether  the  world  will  call 
thtiir  resistance  patriotism  or  rebellion  ?  It  is  not  the  name  of 
patriot  that  I  seek,  or  that  of  rebel  or  outlaw  that  I  fear.  It  is 
results  I  am  aiming  to  accomplish,  and  I  will  never  rest,  nor 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    130 YS  37 

cease  my  exertions  till  our  heaven-favored  cause  shall  triumph, 
and  these  rapacious  intruders  shall  be  driven  from  our  soil.  Could 
you  have  witnessed,  as  I  have,  the  dismay,  want,  and  suffering, 
which  these  grasping  and  shameless  tyrants  have  occasioned  in  this 
^cttlement — here,  whole  families  turned  from  their  houses  in  the 
Mnidst  of  winter,  with  no  human  habitation  within  miles  of  them 
to  flee  to  for  refuge  and  shelter — there,  property,  acquired  through 
the  severest  of  toil,  hardship,  and  privation,  wantonly  destroyed, 
houses  set  on  fire  and  consumed  to  prevent  the  return  of  the  owners 
—and  then  again,  females  abused,  and  even  the  sick  roughly 
( jected,  and  left  to  perish  miserably  in  the  night  air,  or  storm,  for 
all  these  ruthless  aggressors  could  know — could  you  have  witnessed 
all  this,  you  would  not  be  surprised  at  the  exasperated  feelings  of 
our  people,  or  the  indomitable  spirit  with  which  they  have  perse 
vered  in  that  cause,  which  brought  you,  till  lately  a  stranger  to  our 
wrongs,  among  us  to  aid  in  sustaining.  My  personal  interest,  I 
know,  suffers  in  consequence  of  devoting  so  much  of  my  time  to 
the  service  of  the  public.  Indeed,  I  have,  in  common  with  my 
chivalrous  superior,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  almost  wholly  neglected 
my  own  concerns,  while  guarding  the  interests  of  others.  Even 
now  I  am  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  borders  of 
Cham  plain,  a  part  of  which,  as  I  have  lately  been  apprised,  has 
oeen  for  several  years  in  possession  of  one  of  the  York  patentees, 
while  my  duties  nearer  home  have  prevented  me  from  ever  looking 
after  it,  or  taking,  since  making  this  discovery,  any  steps  towards 
dispossessing  the  intruder." 

"  But  you  surely  will  neglect  it  no  longer,"  observed  the  other; 
"  since  we  are  going  into  the  vicinity,  and  on  similar  business?  " 

"We  will  consider  the  case  after  we  have  righted  the  wrongs  of 
the  houseless  settlers  at  the  Lower  Falls,  and  fulfilled  the  other  ob 
jects  of  our  mission  into  this  region.  But  let  us  drop  this  exciting 
sulnect  for  to-night,  that  we  may  obtain  a  little  rest  to  prepare  us 
for  the  duties  of  to-morrow,"  replied  Warrington,  now  rising  to 
make  such  scanty  preparations  as  might  be  required  for  their  re 
pose. 

The  two  friends,  after  barricading  the  door,  and  spreading  their 
blankets  before  the  small  fire  they  had  kindled  on  entering  the 
house,  now  laid  down  to  repose  on  the  floor,  which  to  the  hardy 
nnd  tired  woodsman  is  generally  more  grateful  than  beds  of  the 
softest  down  to  the  pampered  sons  of  luxury  and  ease.  Selden 
was  soon  lost  in  slumber.  But  his  companion,  whose  mind  was 
oppressed  with  more  weighty  cares,  and  whose  feeling?  had  be- 


38  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    fiOYS. 

come  somewhat  excited  in  recounting  the  wrongs  of  his  countrymen 
courted  the  drowsy  god  in  vain.  And  these  causes,  together  with 
his  attempts  to  account  for  the  absence  of  the  family,  for  whose 
safety  he  was  not  wholly  without  apprehensions,  continuing  for 
some  time  to  render  all  his  endeavors  to  sleep  useless,  he  arose, 
unbarred  the  door,  and,  without  waking  his  more  fortunate  com 
panion,  went  out  into  the  open  air  to  try  the  effect  of  the  cool 
breath  of  heaven  in  allaying  the  excitement  of  his  feelings,  and 
disposing  him  to  slumber.  The  night  still  continued  bright  and 
lovely.  Abroad,  nature  seemed  sunk  in  death-like  repose ;  while 
the  deep  and  solemn  silence  that  pervaded  the  wilderness  was 
broken  only  by  the  low,  but  far  sounding  hoot  of  the  sylvan 
watchman  of  the  night,  or  the  voices  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
neighboring  pools,  who  were  straining  their  tiny  throats,  in  notes 
of  seeming  joy  and  jubilee  at  their  recent  release  from  a  wintry 
thraldom.  While  contemplating  the  scene  around  him,  and  in 
dulging  in  the  moody  reverie  which  the  circumstances  were  calcu' 
lated  to  create  in  the  mind,  the  vonrg  r>1if1avr  unconsciously 
wandered  nearly  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  was  still  bordered 
by  a  strip  of  forest,  extending  from  the  water  back  almost  to  the 
house.  Here,  leaning  against  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree,  which 
some  heavy  wind  had  broken  off  about  twenty  feet  from  the 
ground,  he  stood  some  minutes  looking  listlessly  down  upon  the 
placid  waters,  as,  sparkling,  in  the  moonlight  that  struggled 
through  the  trees  above,  they  moved  ceaselessly  along  on  their 
journey  to  the  deep.  Now  his  attention  would  become  riveted  for 
a  moment  on  some  light  float  of  wood  sweeping  by  in  the  noiseless 
current.  And  now  he  would  turn  a  half  listening  ear  to  the 
sportive  plunges  of  the  otter,  here  once  found  in  such  numbers  as 
to  have  naturally  suggested  to  the  hunters  who  first  visited  this 
stream  the  name  which  it  bears.  His  meditations,  however,  were 
at  length  interrupted  by  some  indistinct,  and  at  first  scarcely 
audible  sounds,  the  nature  of  which  he  was  for  some  time  wholly 
unable  to  determine.  At  last,  however,  he  became  satisfied  it 
could  be  no  other  than  the  distinct  murmur  of  human  voices  ; 
but  from  what  quarter  it  came  he  was  still  unable  to  decide.  He 
listened  intently;  and  now  the  sounds  became  more  distinct. 
Presently  they  began  to  swell  on  the  air  in  the  low,  melodious 
voice  of  a  female  chanting  a  tune,  which,  though  not  recently 
heard  by  him,  struck  nevertheless  familiarly  on  his  ear,  awaken, 
ing  in  his  mind  reminiscences  of  persons,  time,  and  place,  which 
formerly  occupied  a  prominent  space  among  the  objects  of  his 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  39 

peculiar  interest,  but  which,  in  the  cares  and  turmoils  of  the  last 
few  years,  had  been  almost  forgotten.  Starting  a8  from  a  trance, 
he  rallied  his  doubting  senses,  and  made  another  effort  to  ascer 
tain  whence  this  mysterious  music  could  proceed,  but  with  no 
better  success  than  before.  Sometimes  the  sounds  seemed  to 
come  from  the  earth,  or  some  subterraneous  cavern  far  beneath 
his  feet.  At  other  times  the  liquid  notes  appeared  floating  high 
in  the  heavens  above.  He  now  took  another  position,  several 
paces  distant  from  the  one  first  occupied,  to  see  whether  any 
variation  would  thus  be  produced  in  the  sounds.  Here,  however, 
they  were  scarcely  audible.  Several  other  new  positions  were 
then  tried,  but  all  with  the  same  success;  and  he  returned  to  the 
tree  where  he  was  standing  when  his  attention  was  first  arrested 
by  these  unaccountable  sounds.  Here  he  again  taxed  his  powers 
of  hearing  to  their  utmost,  when,  to  his  increasing  wonder,  the 
same  melodious  notes  fell  upon  his  ear  even  more  distinctly  tlian 
before.  Now,  not  only  the  tune  seemed  familiar  to  him,  but 
th'ere  was  something  in  the  voice  likewise  which  his  bewildered 
senses  seemed  to  recognize — something  that  seemed  to  touch  a 
chord  in  his  bosom  that  had  never  vibrated  save  under  the  sweet 
intonations  of  one  whose  words  even  were  once  music  to  his 
ears — but  still  one,  to  heighten  his  perplexity,  who,  though  her 
residence  had  long  been  unknown  to  him,  could  not  yet  be,  he 
felt  assured,  within  a  hundred  miles  of  this  spot.  Curiosity,  sur 
prise,  and  wonder  had  now  raised  his  feelings  to  a  pitch  of  almost 
frantic  excitement;  and,  without  scarcely  knowing  why,  he 
struck  his  clenched  fist  two  or  three  times  heavily  against  the 
tree,  which  seemed  so  strangely  the  conductor  of  the  sounds  in 
question.  A  deep,  hollow  reverberation,  indicating  a  large  and 
extended  cavity  within,  was  apparently  the  only  effect  produced 
by  the  blows.  On  applying  his  ear  once  more,  however,  he  found 
that  the  singing  had  ceased ;  and  every  sound  was  now  hushed  in 
silence.  He  listened  awhile  with  suspended  breath,  in  expecta 
tion  of  hearing  the  music  resumed.  But  he  listened  in  vain. 
He  then  renewed  the  experiment  of  listening  from  other  posi 
tions;  but  being  again  unsuccessful,  he  returned  to  the  tree,  and 
fell  to  beating  it  again,  in  the  absurd  fancy  that,  if  there  had 
been  any  connection  between  his  blows  and  the  ceasing  of  the 
sounds,  the  same  operation  which  had  caused  them  to  cease 
might  revive  them,  though  deeming  it,  at  the  same  time,  an  utter 
impossibility  that  the  cavity  within  the  trunk  could  contain  the 
invisible  songstress,  All  his  efforts,  however,  to  gain  a  clue  to 


40  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOY& 

the  mystery  proved  wholly  fruitless,  and,  after  lingering  some 
time  near  this  spot  of  seeming  enchantment,  he  slowly  wandered 
back  to  the  house,  deeply  pondering  over  the  singular  and  in 
comprehensible  incident  which  had  attended  his  nocturnal  ram 
ble.  Was  it  within  the  bounds  of  possibility,  he  asked  himself, 
that  the  person,  the  once  loved  and  lost  one,  whose  voice  these 
mysterious  notes  so  much  resembled,  could  DOW  be  in  this  almost 
uninhabited  wilderness?  No,  no!  What  other  female,  then, 
capable  of  such  execution,  could  be  near  at  such  an  hour  of  the 
night  ?  Surely  none!  Was  it  not,  then,  a  human  voice  that  he 
had  heard  ? — Was  it  the  voice  of  an  angel,  of  "  visits  few  and  far 
between,"  floating  high  in  the  heavens,  and  hymning  the  stars  ? 
What  had  he  done  to  deserve  such  special  revealinent  ?  Or  was 
it,  as  the  traditions  of  the  superstitious  would  inculcate,  the  voice 
of  a,  departing  spirit,  permitted  to  break  on  the  ear  of  a  distant 
friend  at  the  instant  of  departure,  for  the  purpose  of  apprising 
him  of  its  exit  from  earth,  or  warning  him  of  his  own  dissolution  ? 
Or  was  it  not  far  more  probable,  he  said,  with  an  effort  to  shake 
off  these  intruding  fancies,  that  his  senses  had  deceived  him; 
and  that,  after  all,  the  whole  was  but  the  work  of  an  over-excited 
imagination  ?  It  must  have  been  so.  And,  as  if  determined  to 
satisfy  himself  with  this  last  solution  of  the  subject,  since  he 
could  hit  upon  no  other  which  reason  would  not  sooner  reject,  he 
quickened  his  pace,  and  like  one  resolved  to  end  a  perplexing 
enquiry  by  the  best  argument  he  can  give,  and  call  it  conclusive, 
bustled  forward,  now  whistling  a  tune,  or  now  affecting  to  run 
over  to  himself  the  intended  business  of  to-morrow,  till  he  had 
reached  the  house,  secured  the  door,  and  thrown  himself  down 
beside  his  still  insensible  companion,  when  exhausted  nature  soon 
closed  the  scene  in  a  profound  slumber. 


CHAPTER  V. 


"  If  you  had  been  the  wife  of  Hercules, 
Six  of  his  labors  you'd  have  done,  and  sav'd 
Your  husband  BO  much  sweat." 

CORIOLANVB. 


REAL    causes    of    excitement    have    frequently,    and    perhap 
jenerally.  been  found  to  produce  the  soundest  slumber  ; 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  41 

those  that  are  artificial,  or  imaginary,  have  an  equal  tendency  to 
prevent  it,  Doctor  Young's  poetic  philosophy  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding.  It  was  thus  with  Warrington.  While  the 
images  of  the  past  and  the  future,  which  fancy  had  called  up, 
were  operating  in  his  bosom,  he  vainly  sought  the  arms  of  "  tired 
nature's  sweet  restorer."  But  after  he  had  found  a  just  cause 
Tor  excitement,  and  experienced  the  utmost  of  its  legitimate  effects, 
that  restorer  came  unbidden  and  instantly.  And  the  next  morning 
waa  considerably  advanced  before  he  and  his  companion  awoke 
from  the  deep  and  sense- absorbing  slumbers  which,  for  many 
hours,  had  sealed  their  every  faculty  in  blank  oblivion.  They 
simultaneously  arose,  and  went  to  the  window  to  ascertain  from 
whom  proceeded  the  noise  of  the  axe,  whose  heavy,  resounding 
blows,  in  the  adjoining  forest,  had  first  awakened  them  from 
their  quiet  repose.  At  the  border  of  the  woods,  a  short  distance 
to  the  south  of  the  house,  and  in  plain  sight  of  their  loop-hole,  for 
the  window  was  nothing  more,  stood  the  amazon  owner,  and 
almost  sole  creator  of  this  little  opening  in  "th^clar^wilderness, 
plying  her  axe,  wj[jji  ^^^'-^^fi^dexterity  and  effect,  into  the 
huge  trunk  of  a  standing  hemlock.  In  a  short  time  this  princely 
tenant  of  the  Green  Mountain  forest  began  to  tremble,  totter,  and 
bow  beneath  the  supple  arm  of  its  life-sapping  foe,  and  at  length 
came  down  with  a  thundering  crash  upon  the  ground,  filling  the 
air  around  with  a  cloud  of  dust,  splinters,  broken  and  powdered 
limbs,  and  causing  the  earth  and  surrounding  woods  to  rebound 
at  the  shock.  When  the  obstructing  cloud  had  cleared  away 
from  the  opot,  our  observant  friends  beheld  the  object  of  their 
attention  mounted  on  the  trunk  of  the  prostrate  tree,  and  proceed 
ing  to  mark  it  off  into  such  lengths  for  chopping,  as  suited  her 
purpose.  While  thus  engaged,  her  attention  seemed  to  be  sudden 
ly  arrested  by  something  she  observed  about  the  house,  or  in  a  line 
with  it  beyond.  Hastily  descending  from  her  stand  on  the  trusk, 
and  seizing  her  rifle,  which  stood  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  near  the 
stump  of  the  one  just  felled,  she  approached  with  a  rapid  step, 
and  with  some  appearance  of  concern,  till  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
house,  when  she  slackened  her  pace  and  soon  halted. 

"Tall,  stout,  and  stately,"  said  Selden,  still  standing  with  his 
friend  so  near  the  window  as  to  have  a  fair  view  of  the  person  of 
their  hostess ;  "tall,  stout  and  stately,"  he  repeated,  running  his 
admiring  eye  over  her  erect  and  imposing  figure;  "face  and  fea 
tures  even  yet  handsome,  despite  the  ravages  and  cares  of  forty  ! 
And  then  that  queenly  port!  Heavens  !  what  a  specimen  of  Eve's 


43  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

daughters  I  Surely,  Warrington,  she  must  be  *he  very  Juno  oi 
your  Green  Mountains  !  But  why  not  unbar  the  door  and  go  out 
to  meet  her  ?  We  shall  appear  a  pretty  brace  of  heroes,  if  she 
come  here  and  find  us  hid  up  like  a  couple  of  runaways !  She  has 
perceived  us  I  presume,  but  is  doubtful  whether  we  are  friends  or 
foes." 

"  Stay  a  moment,"  said  the  other,  who  had  been  regarding  the 
movements  of  the  woman  quite  as  intensely  as  his  friend,  though 
for  different  purposes  ;  UI  suspect  you  will  soon  see  that  other 
objects  than  ourselves  are  engrossing  her  attention." 

Scarcely  had  the  last  speaker  ceased,  when  they  caught  an 
oblique  view  of  the  approaching  forms  of  a  number  of  men,  whom 
they  instantly  recognized  to  be  Munroe  and  his  party.  Hastily 
retreating  from  the  window,  and  preparing  their  arms  for  action, 
should  their  use  become  necessary  either  for  defending  themselves 
within  the  house,  or  protecting  their  hostess  without,  our  two 
friends  took  positions  at  small  apertures  between  the  logs  of  the 
wall,  where,  without  revealing  themselves,  they  could  easily 
observe  their  foes,  and  stood  silently  watching  the  progress  of 
events  in  the  yard.  Meanwhile  the  hardy  widow  had  planted 
herself  directly  in  the  path  in  which  the  Yorkers  were  approaching 
from  the  main  road  to  her  door.  And  now  boldly  advancing  and 
confronting  them,  she  demanded  what  might  be  their  object  in 
turning  into  a  lone  woman's  dwelling. 

"Why,  my  good  woman,  "  said  the  sheriff,  pausing  and  hesitat 
ing  in  evident  surprise  at  the  commanding  appearance  and  deter 
mined  tone  of  the  person  he  was  addressing  ;  "  we  are  all  as 
hungry  as  so  many  kites,  after  the  long  morning's  march  we  have 
had ;  and  now  can't  you  contrive  to  work  up  something  in  the 
shape  of  a  breakfast  for  us  ?  " 

"  I  know  of  but  two  reasons,  sir,  why  I  may  not  comply  with 
your  request,"  replied  the  woman,  with  an  air  of  quiet  scorn. 

11  And  what  may  they  be,  woman  ?  "  asked  Munroe,  in  doubt 
as  to  the  drift  of  her  discourse. 

"  The  lack  of  means,  and  the  lack  of  inclination,  sir,"  rejoined 
the  other  in  the  same  calm  and  scornful  manner. 

"  Short  and  sweet,"  said  Munroe;  "  but  I  think  we  can  remove 
your  objections  easily  enough,  mistress;  my  men  here  have 
a  plenty  of  salt  junk,  and  some  bread,  which  will  make  out  the 
main  materials  for  a  meal ;  so  you  will  have  nothing  to  do  but 
cook  and  serve  up  for  us,  and  if  we  pay  you  well  for  your  trouble 
this  will  cure  both  your  objections  at  once  I  suppose." 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  43 

Think  you,  sir,  I  would  be  hired  to  serve  a  Yorker  of  your 
?  "  replied  the  woman,  with  increasing  disdain ;  "why  the 
money  got  in  that  manner  would  burn  through  my  pockets  as 
quick  as  if  it  came  at  the  call  of  one  in  league  with  the  arch 
fiend,  and  all  hissing  hot  from  the  burning  mint  in  the  regions 
below!  Even  the  very  food  bought  with  it  would  stick  my 
throat,  and  poison  my  children  to  death  in  the  eating." 

"Tut,  tut!  madam  madcap!"  exclaimed  the  sheriff,  resuming 
his  wonted  roughness,  and  now  beginning  to  chafe  under  the 
biting  sarcasms  of  the  other;  "you  show  about  as  much  of  the 
tartar  as  any  thing  I  have  met  with  in  my  travels  for  a  long 
while.  I  wish  the  rebels  much  joy  in  their  petticoat  champion ! 
But  it  is  time  to  look  a  little  to  such  as  you.  The  authorities  of 
the  king  are  neither  to  be  resisted  nor  insulted  with  impunity 
you  will  do  well  to  bear  in  mind,  perhaps." 

"Cowards  are  always  allowed  the  privilege  of  blustering 
before  women,"  tartly  rejoined  the  other;  "your  threats,  valiant 
sheriff,  will  hurt  me  about  as  much,  probably,  as  they  frighten 
me,  and  if  anything  further  is  attempted,  you  will  find  I  can 
defend  myself." 

"We  will  see,  my  trooper!"  muttered  Munroe,  making  a 
sudden  movement  towards  the  other,  apparently  to  disarm  or 
seize  her. 

Eluding  his  grasp,  and  hastily  retreating  a  few  steps,  the  fear 
less  woman  cocked  her  rifle  and  brought  it  to  her  shouldej-, 
"  Another  step  towards  me,  sir,  and  your  blood  be  on  your  own 
head,"  she  cried,  in  a  cool,  determined  tone. 

"Hang  me!  "  exclaimed  Munroe,  after  standing  a  moment  in 
mute  surprise  at  this  hold  and  unexpected  movement  of  the 
woman,  who,  he  began  to  suspect,  could  scarcely  have  been 
brought  to  show  such  singular  fearlessness,  but  from  a  knowledge 
that  help  was  near;  "  hang  me  if  I  don't  believe  the  termagant  is 
standing  guard  to  some  of  these  skulking  outlaws,  whom  she  has 
concealed  in  the  house!  We  must  see  to  this  immediately,"  he 
continued,  moving  round  his  opponent  toward  the  house,  and 
beckoning  his  men  to  follow. 

"  O,  is  that  all  you  want,"  said  the  widow,  taking  her  piece  in 
her  hand,  and  moving  aside  with  the  air  of  one  relieved  from  a 
personal  fear ;  you  are  welcome  to  all  the  outlaws  you  will  fi ml 
here,  but  you  must  beware  how  you  attempt  to  touch  me.  How 
ever,  you  had  better  look  out  lor  yourself,  brave  sheriff,"  she 
added  ia  a  sneering  laugh;  "take  care,  sir,  that  some  of  those 


44  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOYS. 

terrible  Green  Mountain  Boys  concealed  within  there,  don't 
you  through  the  head  with  th^ir  rifles!  " 

u  The  door  is  fastened,  woman,"  said  Munroe,  as  stepping  up, 
he  tried  in  vain  to  open  it;  "  the  door  is  fastened  on  the  inside; 
see  that  it  is  opened,  or  I  will  force  it!  " 

"O,  no,  no!  why,  you  would  spoil  my  door,  man!  "  cried  the 
widow,  with  the  utmost  apparent  concern  for  the  safety  of  her 
door;  "  yes,  ruin  it  entirely,  t'would  cost  me  a  hard  dollar  to  gel 
it  mended.  I  forgot  to  tell  you  it  was  barred  up  inside.  We  do 
not  stay  here  nights  for  fear  of  the  visits  of  such  strolling  gentry 
as  yourselves.  But  if  you  really  wish  to  handle  over  my  greasy 
pots  and  kettles,  or  crawl  under  my  beds,  you  can  go  in  as  I  came 
out,  by  going  up  on  the  ends  of  the  logs  at  the  corner  yonder, 
and  removing  a  piece  of  that  bark  roof." 

"  But  honestly,  woman,  have  you  seen  nothing  of  Warrington 
and  his  band  this  way  last  night,  or  this  morning  ?  "  asked  the 
sheriff,  his  suspicions  seeming  to  be  pretty  much  allayed  by  the 
well  managed  demeanour  and  conduct  of  the  other. 

"Warrington — Warrington,"  said  she,  musingly,  as  if  attempt 
ing  to  recall  the  name  of  one  of  whom  she  might  have  perhaps 
heard;  "not  Captain  Warrington?  Yes,  I  have  heard  of  him 
I  am  sure.  Is  he  in  this  section  ?  Where  is  he  ?  I  should  like 
to  see  that  brave  fellow.  Why,  be  was  the  one  that  so  handsomely 
beech-sealed  one  of  the  York  authorities  down  Bennington  way, 
last  year — now  what  was  his  name — I  will  think  in  a  minute —  " 

"  O,  no  matter,  no  matter,"  hastily  interrupted  the  sheriff, 
unwilling  that  the  story  of  his  own  former  discomfiture  should  be 
made  known  to  his  present  followers;  "  come,  boys,"  he  contin 
ued,  moving  away  from  the  house  and  calling  to  his  men;  "  we 
shan't  be  able  to  make  anything  of  this  crabstick  of  a  woman, 
so  we  may  as  well  be  on  the  move  again,  and  as  we  have  lost 
our  guide,  instead  of  going  back  through  the  woods,  we  will 
go  up  the  Creek  to  the  ford,  and  then  down  the  military  road 
to  Ticonderoga." 

"  Adroitly  done,  by  heavens !"  exclaimed  Selden  to  his  com 
panion,  as  the  sounds  of  the  retreating  footsteps  of  their  foes 
died  away  on  their  ears;  "  the  woman's  tact  has  saved  us,  to  say 
the  least,  Captain,  from  a  troublesome  contest.  But  shall  I  now 
unbar  the  door  ? " 

"No — let  her  continue  to  manage  in  her  own  way,  replied 
the  other;  the  Yorkers  may  take  it  into  their  heads  to  stop  and 
reconnoiter  the  house  awhile  from  the  woods.  And  she  maj 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  45 

Jeem  it  prudent  to  guard  against  their  making  any  discoveries  in 
that  way  by  remaining  a  while  without,  or  by  entering  the  house 
in  the  manner  she  pointed  out  to  Munroe." 

The  woodswoinan,  if  the  term  be  admissible,  wary  as  she  was 
fearless,  immediately  adopted  one  of  the  precautions  anticipated 
by  Warrington.  And  the  sheriff  and  his  posse  had  no  sooner 
fairly  disappeared  in  the  forest  than  our  friends  heard  her  mount 
ing  the  house,  removing  one  of  1  he  broad  pieces  of  spruce  bark 
which  constituted  the  rude  covering  of  the  roof,  and  descending 
into  the  chamber  or  garret  above  them.  In  another  moment  she 
stood  before  them  with  a  countenance  animated  with  a  look  of 
triumph  and  a  smile  of  congratulation. 

"Now  a  thousand  thanks  to  Mistress  Story,"  warmly  exclaimed 
Warrington,  after  presenting  his  friend  and  exchanging  the  or 
dinary  salutations;  "  a  thousand  thanks,  not  only  for  yesterday's 
timely  notice,  but  for  the  shield  which  a  woman's  tact  only  could 
have  so  successfully  thrown  over  us  this  morning!  But  how 
came  you  apprised  that  we  were  in  possession  of  your  castle,  as 
we  were  without  the  shadow  of  a  license  from  its  owner  ?  " 

"  Partly  anticipating  a  visit  from  some  of  you,"  replied  the 
widow,  "  I  purposely  left  the  door  unfastened  when  we  left  last 
night.  And  a  peep  through  the  cracks  when  I  returned  this 
morning,  and  found  it  barred,  told  me  very  nearly  the  character 
of  the  occupants.  But  you  don't  know,"  she  added,  jocosely, 
"  how  sorely  I  was  tempted,  as  I  saw  you  lying  there  on  the  floor 
asleep,  as  helpless  as  children,  to  creep  in,  bind  you,  deliver  you 
over  to  Munroe,  and  claim  the  reward !  '' 

"When  you  was  praying,  'lead  us  not  into  temptation,'  at  this 
moment  of  your  trial,"  said  Warrington,  laughingly,  "and 
thought  of  the  next  sentence,  'deliver  us  from  evil,'  you  con 
cluded  it  best  to  take  sides  with  the  Green  Mountain  Boys, — did 
you?" 

"Why,"  replied  she,  "it  might  certainly  be  a  matter  of  some 
consideration,  who  it  were  wisest  to  make  friends  and  who  foes, 
in  such  a  case ;  and  especially  so  since  it  now  seems  that  ten 
Yorkers  can  be  put  to  flight  by  one  old  woman." 

"Ay,  ay!  "  gaily  responded  the  Captain;  "  and  that  fact,  sir," 
he  added,  turning  with  an  arch  look  to  Selden,  "  shows  the  wis 
dom  of  the  doubts  and  apprehensions  you  seemed  to  entertain 
last  night  in  approaching,  without  leave,  the  house  of  one  who 
might  become  so  formidable  a  foe," 

"I  should  be  sorry  to  spoil  the  Captain's  joke,"  replied  Selden, 


46  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

in  the  same  spirit;  "  but  in  taking  possession  thus  unceremoni 
ously,  I  think  we  both  depended  somewhat  on  the  effect  of  the 
peace  offering  we  brought,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  the  game 
suspended  on  the  wall,  "in  appeasing  the  household  gods  for 
the  outrage." 

"An  ample  atonement!  "  said  the  dame,  "so  much  so,  indeed, 
that  I  suspect  my  nine  little  hungry  household  gods  will  think 
the  obligation  wholly  on  their  side.  Yes,  yes,  that  mark  of  youi 
kindness,  gentlemen,  I  noticed  when  I  took  my  stolen  peep  in 
here,  and  my  heart  has  been  thanking  you  ever  since ;  for  my  \ 
larder,  as  you  may  well  imagine,  is  none  of  the  fullest,  consider 
ing  the  number  depending  upon  it.  It  makes  my  heart  ache  to 
put  the  little  kites  on  so  short  an  allowance,  as  I  am  often  com 
pelled  to  do  here,  in  a  place  so  difficult  to  obtain  provisions." 

"  But  where  are  your  children  ?  "  asked  Warrington. 

"My  children  ?  all  in* T'other  World,  sir!  "  replied  the  woman, 
with  a  sort  of  mock  gravity. 

"In  the  other  world!  whaV  can  the  woman  mean?"  asked 
Warrington,  turning  a  puzzled  look  upon  his  hostess.  "But  for 
the  mention  you  have  just  made  of  your  children,  and  your 
roguish  looks,  which  belie  your  assertions,  one  might  be  startled 
at  the  import  of  your  words!  " 

"Not  so  much  of  a  belieing,  neither,"  said  the  woman,  "but 
come,  we  will  open  Sesame  now,"  she  continued,  pioceeding  to 
unbar  the  door,  ' '  and  after  seeing  if  my  brood  cannot  be  conjured 
back  into  the  world  again,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  me,  and 
quieting  your  apprehensions  for  their  safety,  Captain,  we  will  see 
what  can  be  done  in  the  way  of  breakfast." 

"  Let  me  attend  you  to  witness  the  process  of  conjuration," 
said  Warrington,  who  had  more  reasons  for  making  the  request 
than  were  known  to  either  of  his  companions. 

"No,  sir,  no!  keep  house  till  I  return,  or?  my  word  for  it,  you 
get  no  breakfast  this  time,"  replied  the  other  in  a  sportive,  yet 
determined  manner,  as  she  quitted  the  house  on  her  proposed 
errand,  leaving  her  guests  to  indulge  in  such  conjectures  as  they 
chose  respecting  the  place  to  which  she  had  gone  to  summon  her 
concealed  family.  They  were  not  allowed  much  time,  however, 
for  discussing  this  curious  question ;  for  in  a  short  time  their  ears 
were  saluted  by  the  mingled  sounds  of  jabbering  voices  approach 
ing  from  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  and  in  a  moment 
more  the  dame  came  up  to  the  door,  with  her  nearly  half-score 
of  hardy  little  urchins,  trooping  along  in  noisy  glee  at  her 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  47 

"I  will  shake  hands  with  the  young  Captain  first!  "  exclaimed 
one  of  the  boys,  endeavoring  to  outstrip  the  rest,  as  they  all  made 
a  rush  at  the  door. 

"You  shan't!"  vociferated  another,  springing  forward,  and 
eagerly  elbowing  his  way  through  the  throng  that  was  now  chok 
ing  up  the  entrance.  "  I  say  you  shan't  now,  Dick!  He  likea 
jne  best;  Ned,  you  hold  him  back!  " 

"  I  don't  care,  I  will  have  the  first  kith!  "  cried  a  lisping  little 
image  of  her  mother;  "I  will,  mayn't  I,  rna!  "  she  added,  throw 
ing  back  her  long  unfettered  hair  from  before  her  laughing  black 
eyes  with  a  pretty  toss  of  the  head,  and  entering  with  high  glee 
into  the  keen  strife  going  forward  for  obtaining  the  first  notice 
of  one,  who,  in  former  calls  at  the  house,  seemed  to  have  made 
warm  friends  of  the  whole  band  of  these  tiny  rivals  for  his 
favors. 

The  next  moment  the  person  of  Warrington,  like  that  of  Gul 
liver  among  the  Lilliputians,  was  almost  literally  covered  by  the 
little  beings,  two  sitting  on  each  knee,  shaking  his  imprisoned 
hands  with  all  their  might ;  the  little  Julia  standing  between, 
turning  up  her  pretty  cheek  invitingly  for  the  expected  kiss, 
which,  for  all  her  declaration,  instinctive  modesty  forbade  her  to 
ask  for;  one  or  two  hold  of  each  arm,  and  one  more  daring  and 
active  than  the  rest,  having  clambered  aloft,  was  sitting  astride 
the  neck,  and  crowing  aloud  over  the  rest  from  his  elevated  situa 
tion  ;  while  all  were  clinging,  laughing,  and  chattering  like  a,  bevy 
of  monkies  exhibiting  on  an  elephant,  at  the  show  of  some  trav 
elling  menagerie. 

Those  fashionable  misanthropes  of  the  Rochefacauldt  or 
Lacon  school,  who  are  forever  moralizing  and  mourning  over 
the  selfishness  of  man ;  who  can  see  no  unadulterated  benevo 
lence,  no  disinterested  friendship  in  the  moral  deserts  of  the 
human  heart,  might  find  one  oasis,  at  least,  to  relieve  their  jaun 
diced  vision,  and  go  to  refute  the  sweeping  dictuins  of  their  cold 
and  cheerless  philosophy,  would  they  but  turn  their  eyes  to  the 
artless  actions,  and  examine  the  untutored  and  guileless  hearts 
of  children.  How  spontaneous  their  affections !  With  what 
intuitive  and  unerring  certainty  and  quickness  they  single  out 
those  who  love  them,  whether  kindred  or  stranger;  and  with 
what  confiding  readiness  and  generous  ardor  is  the  friendship  thus 
bestowed  upon  them  forever  reciprocated;  and  that,  too,  with  no 
detracting  alloy  of  selfish  feeling,  no  worldly  calculating  of  re- 
suits,  and  no  influencing  consideration  of  interest !  Verily !  while 


48  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

they  go  to  school  to  us  for  the  improvement  of  the  head,  rnelhir.ks 
it  would  be  well  for  us  if  the  tables  were  so  far  turned,  that  they 
could  become  our  only  instructors  in  the  lessons  of  the  heart. 

The  dame,  now  calling  off  such  of  her  children  as  she  needed 
to  assist  her,  and  despatching  one  for  water,  another  for  wood, 
and  a  third  to  go  on  some  whispered  destination,  proceeded  rap> 
idly  in  her  preparations  for  the  promised  repast.  And  in  a  short 
space  of  time,  a  tempting  meal  from  the  offering  of  her  guests 
was  smoking  on  the  table.  The  meal,  which  was  enlivened  by 
a  recital  of  the  adventures  of  the  band  the  preceding  evening, 
was  no  sooner  ended,  than  Selden,  rising  first  from  the  table,  de 
parted,  at  the  suggestion  of  his  superior,  to  see  that  the  party  at 
the  other  house  were  ready  to  commence  their  march. 

"Now,  Captain,  where  are  you  going  with  your  men  ?  "  earn 
estly  asked  the  widow,  as  soon  as  Selden  was  fairly  gone;  "I 
have  reasons  for  wishing  to  know." 

Warrington,  after  a  slight  hesitation,  imparted  the  desired  in 
formation. 

"  Will  you  make  me  one  promise  ?  "  resumed  the  woman.  "  and 
at  the  same  time  receive  from  me  in  kindness  one  caution  ?  " 

"  On  conditions,  I  will  venture  to  say  yes." 

"  What  may  they  be  ?  If  any  thing  that  I  can  properly  comply 
with—  " 

"I  would  impose  no  other  terms,  certainly — so  now  for  the 
promise  you  would  exact  ?  " 

"  Simply  this — that  the  family,  with  whom  the  young  Indian 
I  sent  you  last  evening  resides — no  question  now  about  their 
names  or  residence ! — that  this  family,  I  say,  shall  not  be  mo 
lested,  should  you  or  your  men  ever  come  across  them.  They 
hold  under  a  York  title,  to  be  sure,  but  turned  no  one  off  to  get 
possession.  Will  you  promise  ? " 

"For  your  sake,  and  the  Indian's  sake,  if  the  facts  are  as  you 
state,  I  will  promise  my  influence  in  their  behalf." 

"  Now  hear  my  caution — beware  of  that  fellow  you  chastised 
last  night — beware  of  that  Sherwood — he  will  be  a  serpent  in 
your  path." 

"Do  you  know  him  ?  " 

"I  think  I  do,  but  must  say  no  more.  And  now,  let's  heal 
your  conditions." 

"  Only  that  you  shall  expound  my  dream,  or  vision,  of  last 
night." 

' '  A  dream  I  vision. ! " 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS.  49 

"Yes!  a  something,  at  all  events,  which  conveyed  to  my  ear, 
as  I  thought,  the  sounds  of  a  voice  discoursing  most  heavenly 
music." 

"  A  sleeping  or  a  waking  dream  ?  " 

"The  latter,  I  afterwards  made  up  my  mind  to  believe,  as  the 
readiest  way  of  solving  the  mystery ;  but  this  morning  I  have 
begun  to  suspect — 

"  At  what  time  last  night,  nnd  on  what  particular  spot,  did  this 
strange  trance  fall  on  you,  sir  ? "  interrupted  the  widow  in  a 
bantering  tone,  which  was  accompanied,  however,  with  a  look 
betraying  considerable  curiosity  and  uneasiness. 

u  O,  about  the  usual  time  of  such  visitations — the  witching 
hour  of  midnight.  And  the  scene  should  be  laid,  I  think,  more 
particularly  than  at  any  other  spot,  near  the  foot  of  a  certain 
charmed  tree,  or  rather  the  hollow  trunk  of  one,  standing  not  far 
from  the  bank  of  the  Creek  down  here,  to  which,  leaving  my 
companion  asleep,  I  had  wandered  alone  to  shake  off  a  fit  of 
watchfulness  that  the  spirits  of  the  air,  or  something  else,  had 
unaccountably  sent  me." 

"  And  did  you  relate  your  adventures  to  your  companion,  on 
your  return  or  since  ? " 

"No!" 

"That  settles  the  question  with  me,  then,  as  to  what  I  should 
now  do,"  seriously  observed  the  woman;  "  Captain  Warrington, 
I  clearly  see  that  you  have  accidentally,  and  very  singularly,  hit 
upon  a  clue  to  matters  which  I  thought  most  prudent  to  conceal, 
even  from  you,  friend  to  the  settlers  and  my  family  as  you  are. 
Follow  me,  and  you  shall  know  more." 

So  saying,  with  rapid  step  she  led  the  way  in  silence  toward 
the  Creek,  closely  followed  by  her  guest,  eager  to  witness  the 
promised  development.  Passing  directly  by  the  hollow  tree,  to 
which  she  pointed  with  a  significant  smile  as  they  went  along, 
she  conducted  him  to  the  brink  of  the  high,  steep  bank,  which 
was  here  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  young  evergreen,  whose 
tangled  boughs  overhung  the  waters  below.  Now  grasping  firmly 
hold  of  a  projecting  root,  she  swung  herself  down  on  to  a  narrow 
shelf  or  offset  in  the  bank,  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.  As  soon  as  this  position  was  gained  by  them  both,  she 
proceeded  along  the  shelf  a  few  yards,  and,  removing  a  small  fir- 
tree  top,  which  had  been,  to  all  appearances,  blown  down  the 
bank,  disclosed  the  mouth  of  a  narrow  passage  running  back 
horizontally  into  the  earth.  Into  this  she  immediately  entered, 

4 


60  THIS    GJREElf    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

still  followed  by  her  companion.  After  groping  their  way  about 
a  rod  through  the  dark  zigzag  windings  of  this  passage,  they 
emerged  into  a  spacious  room,  formed  entirely  by  an  artificial 
excavation  of  the  earth,  which,  from  a  beginning  at  the  outside, 
had  been  removed  in  small  parcels  and  thrown  into  the  stream, 
till  the  whole  was  completed.  The  walls  or  sides,  which  had 
been  cut  down  perpendicularly  from  the  solid  mould  and  plastered 
over  with  thin  mud,  now  presented  a  hard  compact  surface.  The 
ceiling,  which  was  in  the  form  of  an  arch,  coming,  probably,  at 
the  top  or  center,  within  a  foot  of  the  surface  above,  was  sup 
ported  by  the  thickly  spreading  roots  of  the  trees,  standing, 
many  of  them,  directly  over  the  excavation,  and  forming  a  kind 
of  net-work,  curiously,  and  so  strongly  interwoven  as  effectually 
to  prevent  the  earth  from  caving  in  from  above.  The  whole  in 
terior  was  divided  into  two  parts  of  unequal  dimensions  by  a 
slight  willow-work  partition,  the  lesser  of  which,  being  designed 
for  the  sleeping  apartment,  was  neatly  carpeted  with  a  thick  dry 
moss,  collected  from  the  spruce  knolls  in  the  vicinity ;  while  on 
one  side  was  extended,  at  suitable  intervals,  a  row  of  little  oblong 
platforms,  raised  about  a  foot  above  the  general  level  by  repeated 
doublings  of  the  same  light,  springy  substance.  These,  on  which 
were  laid  such  beds  as  the  occupant  could  furnish,  afforded,  with 
or  without  any  further  additions,  soft  and  pleasant  couches, 
safely  protected  against  the  damps  of  a  ground  floor.  Beside 
one  of  the  walls  of  the  larger  room  was  a  rude  fire-place,  con 
structed  of  flat  stones,  and  built  up  several  feet  high  to  receive 
fuel  and  give  direction  to  the  smoke,  which,  ascending  through 
a  sort  of  retreating  flue  cut  into  the  bank,  escaped  through  the 
cavity  of  the  identical  hollow  stub  that  Warrington  had  discov 
ered  to  be  in  some  way  connected  with  the  mysterious  melody 
heard  by  him  the  evening  before. 

"  This,  Captain  Warrington,"  said  the  dame,  after  showing  her 
admiring  guest  every  part  of  her  subterraneous  establishment, 
which  she  had  lit  up  on  entering  by  throwing  a  few  light  combus 
tibles  on  the  fire  still  remaining  on  the  hearth;  "this  is  my  city 
of  refuge — my  strong-hold,  or  my  '  T'other  World,'  as  I  have 
accustomed  myself  and  children  to  call  it,  fancying,  in  my  wish 
to  keep  the  secret  of  its  existence  to  ourselves,  that  some  such 
name  would  lessen  the  chances  of  a  discovery  which  might 
accidentally  be  made,  perhaps,  by  referring  to  it  before  others  by 
a  proper  designation.  It  was  dug  out  by  myself  and  my  little 
boys,  who  took  to  digging  as  naturally  as  young  foxes,  and  great* 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  51 

ly  assisted  me.  My  neighbor  below,  however,  aided  me  in  the 
most  difficult  parts  of  the  work ;  and  in  case  of  danger  he  is  to 
occupy  it  with  me." 

"  But  what  were  the  immediate  dangers  you  apprehended,  that 
led  you  to  so  uncommon  an  undertaking  ?  "  asked  the  other. 

"  For  myself  I  might  feel,  perhaps,  no  apprehensions,"  replied 
the  provident  mother.  "For  my  children  I  feel  differently.  All 
parents,  Captain,  however  brave  they  may  be  for  themselves,  are 
always  cowards  for  their  children.  No  real  dangers,  it  is  true, 
might  beset  us  here  for  years  ;  and  then  again,  they  might  come 
like  a  thief  in  the  night.  To  say  nothing  of  the  heartless  Yorkers, 
who  might  burn  my  house,  or  turn  us  out  shelterless  into  the 
snow — to  say  nothing  of  the  wolves  that  have  been  known,  in  the 
desperation  of  hunger,  to  attack  folks  in  their  houses — to  say 
nothing  of  these,  which  are  sufficiently  fearful  for  most  people, 
what  security  have  we,  in  these  outposts  of  the  settlement,  even  in 
times  of  peace,  against  a  hostile  visit  from  the  Indians  ?  But 
when,  as  now,  the  rumors  of  war  come  floating  on  every  breeze, 
that  danger  is  daily  increasing.  The  sad  experience  of  my  father's 
family,  who  were  half  slain  by  these  hell-hounds  of  the  wilderness 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  last  war,  has  taught  me  the  wisdom  of  pre 
caution.  In  peace  they  are  even  to  be  distrusted;  and  the  first 
rumor  of  war  that  strikes  their  ears  will  put  them  to  whetting 
their  knives  for  slaughter;  while  they  are  sure  to  anticipate  the 
coming  contest  by  striking  the  first  blow  on  the  defenceless  fami 
lies  of  the  frontiers.  Now  with  these  views,  is  it  strange,"  she 
added  with  a  smile,  "  that  the  mother  of  nine  children,  with  but 
one  neighbor  within  miles  of  her,  should  foresee  the  evil  and  hide 
herself  ?  " 

"  Surely  not,"  replied  Warrington,  struck  not  less  by  the  forci 
ble  language  of  the  woman,  than  by  her  prudent  forecast ;  "  you 
are  right  in  believing  that  the  storm  of  a  new  war  is  gathering 
over  us ;  and  if  you  think  of  remaining  here,  these  precautions  are 
but  the  part  of  wisdom,  as  we  know  not  when  or  where  the  storm 
may  burst.  But  do  you  occupy  this  retreat  every  night,  now  ?  " 

"We  do." 

"You  enter  as  we  did,  taking  your  children  down  the  bank,  I 


suppose  ! 

"Sometimes,  but  more  generally  by  approaching  from  the 
Creek  in  my  canoe,  (which  is  kept  hid  in  the  bushes  a  few  rods 
bolow,)  lest  by  coming  down  the  bank  constantly,  we  wear  a  path 
which  might  lead  to  a  discoverv  of  oiir  retreat." 


63  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

1 '  And  you  all  lodged  here  last  night,  of  course  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Part  of  the  mystery,  then,  stands  explained — why  should  the 
rest  be  kept  back  ?  " 

"  What  is  there  more  that  you  do  not  comprehend?  " 

"  The  singing—" 

' '  Might  have  been  my  own,  if  you  heard  any.  You  never  heard 
any  of  my  lullaby  performances  before,  I  suppose  ? "  said  the 
woman,  with  an  evasive  smile. 

"  No,  but  I  have  once  heard  the  performances  of  another,  whose 
voice  is  not  easily  to  be  forgotten,"  replied  Warrington,  turning  a 
keen,  searching  gaze  on  the  slightly  confused  face  of  the  widow. 

"  Warrington,  Warrington  !  "  said  the  woman,  resuming  a  tone 
of  seriousness,  and  intently  reading  the  looks  of  the  other;  "as 
much  as  I  hate  deception,  I  wish  I  could  have  misled  you.  But  I 
saw  by  your  disappointed  looks,  when  you  entered,  and  glanced 
around  these  empty  apartments,  that  you  expected  to  find  here 
what  you  have  not.  And  I  now  see,  that  you  still  have  certain 
impressions,  which  I  wish  could  have  been  done  away.  But  as 
you  seem  bent  on  following  up  your  clue,  I  will  not  attempt  to 
mislead  you.  From  what  I  have  gathered  from  you  and  others,  I 
have  for  some  time  secretly  suspected  the  identity  of  persons  yet 
supposed  to  be  different,  and  that  I  have  long  known  those  whose 
present  residence  you  have  little  dreamed  of  :  Captain  Warring- 
ton,  there  is  indeed  a  rose-bud  in  this  wilderness,  which  I  should 
not  have  been  displeased  to  see  placed  in  your  bosom.  But  seek  it 
not  now — there  is  a  hedge  about  it  too  high  for  your  leaping." 

"Where  is  she ?  I  ask  but  to  know  where,"  enquired  the  other 
with  impatient  eagerness. 

"Not  here,  nor  near  here,  n'ow,"  replied  the  woman  ;  the  secret 
is  not  mine  to  reveal:  I  have  said  too  much  already;  so  question 
me  no  further.  But  come,  let  us  leave  for  the  upper  world,"  she 
added,  rapidly  leading  the  way  out,  and  allowing  the  other  no 
further  chance  to  resume  his  importunities  till  they  had  gained 
the  top  of  the  bank. 

"  But  surely  you  will  not  leave  the  matter  here,  after  informing 
me  so  far  ?  "  said  Warrington,  in  an  expostulating  tone,  as  lie 
perceived  that  the  other  seemed  to  expect  that  he  would  now 
depart. 

"  For  the  present,  I  surely  shall,"  replied  the  woman,  decided 
ly;  ''yrtu  will  urge  in,  vain  one  who  understands  her  duties  to 
&311  Go!  your  men  await  you — good  morning,  and  God  speed 


THE    GREEN    MOUNT  ATX    HOTS.  53 

you  in  the  cause  of  the  settlers,"  and  imperiously  waving  he? 
hand  for  the  departure  of  her  reluctant  and  tantalized  guest,  she 
suddenly  turned  away  and  disappeared  in  the  forest. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


"  The  sons  of  our  mountains  will  sheath  not  the  brand 
Till  the  last  base  intruder  is  forced  from  the  land." 


ONE  of  the  most  considerable  openings  in  the  wilderness  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  at  the  period 
of  our  story,  was  at  the  Lower  Falls  of  Otter  Creek,  at  the  head 
of  the  lake  navigation  of  that  stream,  and  on  and  around  that 
Une  and  fertild  swell  of  land,  now  occupied  as  the  site  of  a  pleas 
ant  and  flourishing  village,  to  which,  as  before  mentioned,  the 
more  dignified  name  of  city  has  long  since  been  legally  applied ; 
though  not  without  sometimes  eliciting,  probably,  from  the  trav 
eler  approaching  the  place  with  the  expectations  which  the  ap 
pellation  would  naturally  raise,  a  feeling  somewhat  akin,  perhaps, 
to  that  which  might  be  experienced  on  hearing  the  address  of 
My  Lord  applied  k>  some  urchin  scion  of  nobility,  at  marbles,  in 
his  first  jacket  and  trousers.  A  pitch  had  been  made  on  this 
spot,  some  years  before,  by  one  or  more  of  the  New  Hampshire 
patentees,  a  saw  and  grist  mill  erected,  and  a  large  piece  of  forest 
felled  and  partially  cleared;  when  the  whole  tract,  embracing 
the  Falls  and  all  the  improvements,  was  purchased  of  some  of  the 
York  land  jobbers  by  one  Colonel  Reed.  Reed  had  been  the 
commander  of  a  regiment  of  Scotch  Highlanders,  that  came  over 
with  General  Wolfe,  and  was  engaged  with  his  army  in  that  mem 
orable  battle  which  gave  Quebec  and  the  Canadas  to  the  British 
crown.  This  regiment  having  been  subsequently  disbanded,  the 
Colonel,  still  continuing  in  the  new  world,  and,  in  his  intercourse 
between  Canada  and  New  York,  becoming  acquainted  with  the 
Vermont  lands,  entered  into  the  speculations  then  going  forward, 
and  made  the  purchase  as  above  stated.  Finding  his  new  pur 
chase  already  in  the  occupancy  of  the  New  Hampshire  grantees, 
and  not  inclining  to  be  bothered  with  the  delays  of  a  civil  pro 
cess  by  the  York  authorities  to  put  him  in  possession,  what  should 


54  THE  onnm  MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

this  military  land  speculator  do  but  repair  immediately  to  Mont 
real,  and,  collecting  a  file  of  his  old  disbanded  soldiers,  go  on, 
armed  and  provisioned,  to  conquer  and  keep,  and  forcibly  drive 
fhe  occupants  from  the  ground,  taking  possession  of  the  mills, 
lumber,  and  all  other  improvements  ?  After  making  ample  pro 
visions  for  continuing  the  improvement  of  his  purchase,  he  left  it 
'o  be  managed  and  defended  by  the  men  who  came  on  with  him, 
placed  under  the  command  of  one  of  his  old  fear-naught  High 
landers,  by  the  name  of  Donald  Mclntosh,  formerly  a  brave  and 
trusty  seargent  in  his  regiment,  to  whom  he  now  delivered  writ 
ten  military  instructions,  setting  fdrth  the  manner  in  which  the 
improvements  were  to  be  conducted,  and  the  post  defended 
against  any,  or  all,  who  should  offer  to  intrude  on  the  premises. 
The  Colonel,  being  a  shrewd  man,  and  a  close  observer  of  charac 
ter,  national  as  well  as  individual,  and  well  knowing  the  inherent 
respect  of  Scotchmen  for  discipline,  and  the  orders  of  a  superior, 
would  ensure  him  more  determined  defenders  of  his  possessions, 
as  well  as  more  faithful  laborers  in  their  improvement,  than  all 
the  rewards,  bribes,  or  other  inducements  he  could  offer,  had 
thrown  over  the  whole  transaction  the  appearance  of  a  military 
service.  And,  hiring  his  men  at  the  monthly  compensation 
they  had  formerly  received  as  soldiers,  and  terming  it  an  enlist 
ment  during  the  war,  and  conducting  them  to  their  post  under 
the  discipline  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed  in  the  army,  he 
had  the  address  to  make  these  men,  not  the  most  intelligent,  cer 
tainly,  honestly  believe  that  they  were  acting  under  their  old 
commander,  in  a  military  capacity  only,  and  were  really  in  the 
service  of  the  king,  to  whom  this  settlement,  they  were  told,  was 
in  a  state  of  rebellion.  And  right  faithfully  and  rigidly  did  the 
straight-going  Donald,  ever  continuing  to  act  under  these  impres 
sions,  execute  the  trust  committed  to  his  charge.  Immediately 
proceeding  to  throw  up  a  large  log-house,  and  enclose  a  yard 
around  it  with  a  heavy,  compact  fence  of  hewn  timber,  he  soon 
gave  the  post  such  an  impregnable  and  threatening  aspect  an 
effectually  deterred  the  former  occupants  from  attempting,  with 
any  force  they  could  rally  in  the  neighborhood,  to  dislodge  the 
intruders.  And,  after  watching  awhile,  and  seeing  no  diminu 
tion  of  the  strength  of  their  antagonists,  or  relaxation  of  their 
caution,  these  ejected  and  plundered  settlers,  who  happened  to 
be  among  the  less  spirited  of  their  countrymen,  at  lengih  pretty 
much  relinquished  the  hope  of  regaining  their  possessions,  ex 
cept  in  a  favorable  termination  of  the  negociation  still  going  for 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  55 

ward  at  intervals  between  the  settlers  and   the  government  of 
New  York. 

In  this  manner,  for  nearly  two  years,  did  the  minions  of  Reed 
hold  and  manage  these  valuable  possessions,  clearing  land  raising 
crops,  and  exporting  lumber  and  other  products,  without  being  at 
all  molested  by  the  settlers,  or  the  attending  circumstances  being 
known,  indeed,  to  those  who  had  exercised  any  general  agency  in 
resisting  the  aggression  of  the  Yorkers.  At  length,  however, 
the  tranquility  of  the  intruders  became  accidentally  endangered. 
Ira  Allen,  the  Green  Mountain  Motternich  of  after  times,  and 
one  of  the  cabinet  council  of  those  we  arc  describing,  coming 
through  this  section,  on  his  return  to  his  residence  inBenmngton 
from  an  excursion  to  the  Winooski  river,  sought  lodgings  on  a 
stormy  December  night  at  the  quarters  of  Mclntosh  and  his 
men — a  call  which  came  near  costing  the  former  his  life  at  the 
outset:  for,  while  he  was  unsuspectingly  knocking  for  admission, 
the  wary  Scotchman,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  consider  all 
his  foes,  who  did  not  give  the  watchword,  noiseless  opened  the 
door  wide  enough  to  protrude  one  arm,  and  made  several  despe 
rate  lunges  at  his  body,  hit  or  miss,  with  a  naked  sabre.  Provi 
dentially,  however,  the  weapon,  missing  the  body,  only  wounded 
the  great  coat  of  the  traveler,  who,  at  last  succeeding  in  making 
the  other  believe  that  he  wanted  nothing  more  than  a  shelter  for 
the  night,  was  now  admitted,  and  entertained  till  next  morning. 
This  singular  reception,  as  well  as  the  odd  and  warlike  appear 
ance  of  every  thing  connected  with  the  establishment,  awakened 
the  curiosity  and  excited  the  suspicions  of  Allen,  who,  from  the 
information  he  obtained  by  pumping  the  incautious  Donald,  and 
making  inquiries  of  the  settlers  before  leaving  the  vicinity,  re 
turned  home  in  possession  of  the  full  history  of  the  case.  And 
the  consequence  was,  that  before  many  months,  a  small  band  of 
Green  Mountain  Boys  came  on  from  the  south,  and  finding  no 
one  about  the  premises,  were  proceeding  to  clear  the  house  and 
yard  of  all  they  contained ;  when  the  occupants,  who  had  been  at 
work  in  the  woods,  returned,  and  after  holding  a  council  of  war  a 
short  distance  from  the  house,  made  such  a  furious  charge  with 
fixed  bayonets  on  the  new  comers,  that  they,  little  dreaming  of 
BO  warlike  an  onset,  were  fairly  routed  from  the  works,  and  were 
compelled  to  decamp  amidst  the  victorious  shouts  of  the  elated 
Highlanders.  Chagrined  and  vexed  on  the  result  of  this  attempt, 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  early  the  next  spring,  set  on  foot 
another  expedition  for  dispersing  these  military  tenants  of  the 


56  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

usurping  Ooloncl.  And  for  this,  among  other  objects,  Warring- 
ton  and  his  companions  were  now  on  their  way  to  the  spot. 

It  was  not  until  an  advanced  hour  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day, 
which  commenced  by  the  adventures  related  in  the  last  chapter, 
that  our  band  arrived  at  the  outskirts  of  the  singularly  guarded 
possession  just  described.  Their  force,  swelled  by  the  numbers 
who  had  joined  them  on  the  last  part  of  their  route,  now  amount 
ed  to  about  a  dozen  men.  They  halted  in  the  woods,  adjoining 
the  clearing,  for  the  purpose  of  consultation,  with  a  view  to  fix 
on  the  best  mode  of  attacking  the  place,  which  they  were  not 
without  hope  of  carrying  by  surprise.  They  had  scarcely  com 
menced  discussing  these  points,  however,  before  their  attention 
was  arrested  by  two  quickly  successive  reports  of  fire-arms,  pro 
ceeding  from  a  thicket,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Creek. 

"  What  will  you  bate  I  don't  know  the  bark  of  that  dog,  Cap 
tain  ?  "  exclaimed  Jones,  tipping  one  of  his  comical  winks  to  his 
superior. 

"  Aha!  who  do  you  suspect,  Jones  ?  "  asked  Warrington  with 
a  look  of  interest. 

"Why,  I  shouldn't  like  to  make  bodily  oath  of  it,  besure," 
replied  the  other,  "  but  unless  my  ear  lies  like  the  mischief,  one  of 
those  popping  noises  over  there  was  the  voice  of  an  old  acquaint 
ance." 

"  To  the  point,  man,  if  you  possibly  can!  "  rather  impatiently 
spoke  the  leader;  "What  acquaintance  do  you  mean  ?" 

' '  The  one  that  I  was  introduced  to,  up  on  the  lake  there,  last 
night,  asking  your  pardon,  Captain,"  replied  Pete,  lowering  his 
tone  a  little  under  the  slightly  rebuking  manner  of  his  com 
mander. 

"  You  are  in  the  right,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  the  other,  kindly, 
though  a  flash  of  anger  passed  over  his  face  at  the  discovery 
that  now  burst  on  his  mind;  "  I  see  it  all,  at  last.  Those  were 
the  reports  of  a  pair  of  pistols,  and  in  the  hands,  too,  of  that 
traitorous  Sherwood,  who  has  been  hovering  round  us  on  our 
march,  and  now  fires  his  pistols  as  a  preconcerted  signal,  to  give 
notice  of  our  approach.  It  is  well  for  the  fellow  that  he  \vus 
wise  enough  to  put  the  Creek  between  us  and  himself,  before  tak 
ing  this  last  step." 

"That  comes  of  suffering  the  scoundrel  to  go  unhanged  last 
night,"  grumbled  Brown.  "  If  I  had  been  the  Captain,  I  would 
have  strung  him  up  to  the  limb  of  a  tree  like  a  sheep-killing  dog, 
and  left  him  kicking  in  the  air." 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  57 

"It  is  not  always,"  said  Warrington,  "nor  often,  I  think,  that 
we  find  cause  to  repent  of  the  mercies  we  have  shown;  but  thia 
fellow — let  him  beware  I"  he  added,  knitting  his  brow,  "let  him 
beware  how  he  is  taken  again  !  " 

All  hope  of  taking  the  place  by  surprise  being  now  relinquished 
by  our  band,  it  was  soon  settled,  as  the  most  probable  way  of 
accomplishing  their  object  without  bloodshed,  which  they  would 
gladly  avoid,  that  a  feint  should  be  made  in  the  open  field,  with 
a  view  of  drawing  out  the  enemy  from  their  works,  while  the  part 
of  their  force,  not  thus  to  be  engaged,  should  go  round  in  the 
woods,  and,  approaching  in  the  rear,  endeavor  to  get  possession  of 
the  house  and  enclosure.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  Warrington, 
taking  Selden  and  two  of  the  men  with  him,  started  off  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  the  last  part  of  the  arrangement  into  execution, 
leaving  the  rest  of  the  force  under  the  command  of  Jones,  whose 
genius,  it  was  thought,  was  calculated  to  conduct  the  other  part  of 
the  enterprise  now  entrusted  to  his  charge,  with  orders  to  advance 
through  the  open  grounds  towards  the  house,  and  adopt  such 
measures  on  the  way  as  circumstances  might  suggest  for  bringing 
about  the  desired  result. 

After  waiting  a  sufficient  time  to  allow  the  other  party  to  gain  a 
post  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  works,  Pete,  the  new  com 
mandant,  put  his  men  in  motion,  and  emerging  from  the  bushes, 
they  commenced,  in  a  wide-spread  platoon,  their  ostentatious 
march  through  the  field,  in  order  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
enemy,  supposed  to  be  concealed  in  their  enclosures  at  the  house. 
It  so  happened  that,  directly  in  the  course  of  the  advancing  party, 
there  lay  a  series  of  large  log-heaps,  which,  either  by  accident  or 
design,  had  been  placed,  in  clearing  the  land,  very  nearly  in  a 
straight  line,  at  intervals  of  about  a  dozen  rods,  beginning  near 
the  house  and  extending  almost  to  the  woods.  When  the  party 
had  arrived  within  a  few  rods  of  the  first  log-heap  their  attention 
was  arrested  by  the  sound  of  a  human  voice,  issuing  from  behind 
it,  and,  in  an  eager,  suppressed  tone,  giving  off  some  brief  orders, 
resembling  those  of  military  command. 

"A'  ready  ?  up  then,  an'  gie  til  the  louns  !  "  exclaimed  the  voice 
of  the  unseen  leader,  in  broad  Scotch,  as  a  platoon  of  armed  men 
suddenly  rose  from  behind  the  logs,  and,  raising  their  guns  breast 
high,  discharged  them  full  in  the  faces  of  the  Green  Mountain 
Boys. 

uNoo,  right  aboot  face  !  and  rin  as  if  the  dcevil  was  after  ye,  as 
he  is,  and  mair  too,"  resumed  the  military  Donald,  for  it  was  no 


58  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

other  than  he  and  his  men,  who  had  thus  been  lying,   in  conceal 
ment  behind  the  log-heap,  patiently  awaiting  the  approach  of  their 
unsuspecting  assailants. 

The  balls,  just  clearing  the  heads  of  our  band,  whistled  through 
the  air,  and  struck  with  a  crash  among  the  dry  limbs  of  the  forest 
behind  them.  As  soon  as  they  had  recovered  from  the  surprise 
into  which  they  had  been  thrown  by  the  suddennesss  of  this  unex 
pected  attack,  they  all  sprang  forward  in  the  screening  smoke  of 
the  enemy's  fire,  and  gained  the  cover  of  the  log-heap,  just  relin 
quished  by  the  latter  for  the  next  one  in  the  line  of  their  defences. 

"  Well,  this  is  what  I  should  call  rather  a  curious  how-d'ye-do, 
boys,"  coolly  said  Jones,  when  they  had  gained  their  shelter ;  "  who 
would  have  guessed  the  scamps  were  packed  away  behind  this  old 
log-heap  ?  But  one  thing  beats  my  philosophy — if  the  bloody 
dogs  really  wanted  to  give  us  the  lead,  (and  they,  shot  dreadful 
careless  if  they  didn't)  why  in  uatur  didn't  they  take  aim  ?  " 

"They  are  all  regular  sarvice  men,"  replied  a  settler  from  the 
vicinity.  "  and  breast-high  is  the  rule  of  firing  in  the  army." 

"  Then  we  may  thank  the  rule  for  our  lives,  and  not  the  pesky 
fools  who  used  it,"  replied  the  former.  "It  would  not  be  a  great 
deal  more  than  right  to  send  our  rifle  bullets  through  the  whole 
tote  of  'em.  But  I  should  some  rather  not  kill  the  sarpents,  if  we 
can  get  along  without ;  and  I  guess  as  how  we  can,  seeing  they 
were  kind  enough  to  sound  their  rattles  before  trying  to  bite,  as 
that  queer  old  codger  did,  in  giving  off  word  before  they  let  drive 
at  us.  And  if  they  will  go  on  as  they  have  begun,  we'll  just  be 
making  our  manners  when  they  fire,  so  that  the  balls  may  pass  over 
us,  and  then  follow  'em  up  as  before — but  hark  !  the  old  chap  is  at 
it  again  !  going  the  motions  as  regular  as  the  night-mare ;  there  ! 
he  has  got  to  '  cock  fire-lock  I '  Now,  down  with  you,  boys!  " 

Jones  and  his  men  had  scarcely  thrown  themselves  on  to  their 
knees  behind  their  log-heap  breast- work,  before  another  volley  of 
balls,  discharged  with  the  same  military  precision,  whistled  over^ 
them ;  and  again  the  old  dry  hemlocks  that  skirted  the  woodi  ap 
peared  to  be  the  oaly  sufferers.  Again  retreating  to  their  next 
post,  these  kilted  defenders  of  the  place  were  followed  up  as  at 
first  by  their  crafty  assailants,  who  were  now  becoming  highly  de 
lighted  with  the  fun  of  so  unique  a  warfare.  And  in  this  manner 
the  fight,  if  fight  it  be  called,  continued  through  the  whole  field — 
one  party  blazing  away  at  random  from  every  log-heap  they 
reached,  and  then  scudding  on  for  the  next,  quite  satisfied 
With  this  way  of  doing  their  duty  of  defending  these  supposed 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  59 

possessions  of  the  king,  since  they  were  conducting  their  defence, 
as  they  believed,  according  to  military  rule:  while  the  other  par 
ty,  occasionally  discharging  their  pieces  into  the  air,  to  keep  up 
the  appearance  of  a  hostile  pursuit,  and  sometimes  raising  their 
hats  on  their  ramrods,  just  high  enough  above  the  logs,  behind 
which  they  were  ensconced,  to  become  visible  to  their  foes  when 
.they  fired,  that  they  might  be  thus  encouraged  to  continue  the 
'sport,  were  no  less  content  with  this  fashion  of  fighting,  as  it 
answered  all  the  objects  in  view,  without  putting  them  to  the 
necessity  of  killing  others,  and,  what  was  quite  as  agreeable, 
without  running  any  risk  of  being  killed  themselves. 

But  leaving  these  belligerents  for  the  present,  we  will  now  fol 
low  those  who  departed  to  execute  the  other  part  of  this  noveV 
enterprise. 

Keeping  within  the  border  of  the  woods,  Warrington  and  hi» 
attendants  soon  made  the  circuit  round  the  clearing,  and  arrived 
at  the  bank  of  the  Creek,  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings,  before  th* 
attack  was  made  on  the  other  detachment.  They  had  scarcely 
gained  this  position,  however,  before  they  were  aroused  by  tht> 
rattling  of  Mclntosh's  salutatory  volley  on  their  companions,  at 
the  other  extremity  of  the  opening.  And,  though  the  rise  of 
land  which  intervened  between  them  and  the  scene  of  action 
prevented  them  from  ascertaining  by  sight  the  exact  situation  of 
affairs,  yet  readily  concluding  that  the  enemy,  in  full  force,  had 
taken  the  open  field,  as  had  been  anticipated,  they  made  for  the 
house  with  all  possible  speed,  to  get  possession  of  the  works  be 
fore  the  occupants  could  find  time  to  return.  On  reaching  the 
enclosure  round  the  house,  Warrington,  leaving  his  men  in  the 
rear,  went  round  to  the  front  side,  and,  after  a  moment  spent  in 
reconnoitring,  from  behind  a  wood-pile,  the  parties  in  the  field, 
crept  up  and  made  an  attempt  to  open  the  gate.  But  to  his  dis 
appointment,  he  soon  discovered  that  it  was  securely  barred  on 
the  inside;  while  the  noise  of  some  slight  movement  within  ap 
prised  him  that  the  place  had  not  been  left  wholly  unguarded. 
On  making  these  discoveries,  he  immediately  retreated  to  the 
rear,  without  being  seen  by  the  enemy.  There,  standing  beside 
the  wall  of  the  enclosure  and  eagerly  gazing  through  a  small  crev 
ice  between  the  timbers,  he  found  Selden,  who,  now  turning  with 
an  expressive  look,  silently  beckoned  him  to  approach.  Obeying 
the  sign,  Warrington  carefully  stepped  up  to  the  spot  and  put  his 
eye  to  the  aperture  which  the  other,  now  yielding  the  place,  point 
ed  out  with  his  finger;  when  all  that  part  of  the  arena  within, 


60  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.' 

which  was  in  front  of  the  house,  was  opened  to  his  view.  And  the 
object  that  there  met  his  eye  struck  him  with  scarce  less  surprise 
than  what  had  just  been  manifested  by  his  more  romantic  com 
panion.  Near  the  barricaded  entrance  into  the  yard,  instead  of  a 
bearded  warrior,  stood  a  young  and  neatly  dressed  female,  of 
striking  beauty,  holding  a  musket,  and  apparently  enacting  the 
part  of  a  sentry  to  fire  an  alarm  gun,  or  open  the  gate  on  the  sig 
nal  of  her  friends.  She  had  evidently  heard  the  movements  of 
those  without,  and  was  now  standing,  like  a  startled  fawn,  her 
bosom  heaving  with  suppressed  alarm,  her  lips  slightly  drawn 
apart,  and  her  head  turned  in  the  attitude  cf  intense  listening — 
all  combining  to  give  an  air  of  charming  and  picturesque  wild  ness 
4:o  her  whole  appearance.  A  swarthy- faced  girl  was  timi?ny"peep- 
ing  from  the  nearly  shut  door  of  the  house,  to  which,  on  hearing 
the  noise,  she  had  apparently  retreated.  From  the  dress  and 
appearance  of  the  latter,  Warrington  was  but  at  little  loss  in 
tracing  between  these  two  females  the  relation  of  mistress  and 
maid.  And  now,  with  a  rapid  survey  of  the  situation  of  the 
whole  interior,  as  far  as  could  be  seen,  he  hastily  quitted  his 
stand  at  the  crevice  and  turned  to  Selden. 

"Isn't  she  a  vision  of  a  creature  ? "  eagerly  whispered  the  lat 
ter,  his  fine  dark  eyes  sparkling  with  animation;  "what,  in  the 
name  of  feminine  wonders,  will  you  show  us  next  Warrington  ? 
But  who  and  what  can  she  be  ? " 

"  I  am  scarcely  wiser  than  yourself,  in  that  respect." 

"If  the  other  was  a  Juno,  this,  I  suppose,  must  be  somewar- 
rior  sylph  of  the  Green  Mountains." 

f l  £T61fof  tHe  Green  Mountains,  I  suspect,"  rejoined  Warrington, 
"  but  be  she  sylph  or  satan  in  heavenly  guise,  we  must  pay  her  a 
yisit,  and  have  possession  of  the  wrorks  within  ten  minutes — the 
enemy  are  on  the  retreat  for  the  gate,  and  there  is  no  time  to 
lose — advance,  boys,  and  lend  me  your  shoulders  for  a  stepping 
stone  to  scale  this  wall." 

The  walls  of  the  enclosure  were  about  ten  feet  high,  exclusive 
of  the  pickets  which  surmounted  them,  and  which  were  formed 
of  stakes  three  or  four  feet  long,  sharply  pointed  at  the  top,  and 
set  into  large  augur  holes  bored  in  the  upper  layer  of  timber. 

Taking  his  men  to  a  part  of  the  wall  in  the  rear  of  the  house, 
which  would  screen  them,  in  their  attempt,  from  the  view  of  the 
inmates  in  front,  and  thus  afford  them  a  better  chance  to  get  over 
unmolested,  and  without  causing  an  alarm  to  be  given  too  soon, 
{he  leader  mounted  the  shoulders  of  one  of  his  men,  leaped  on  to 


THE    UllEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  61 

the  top  of  the  timbers,  and  soon  luckily,  and  without  noise,  suc 
ceeded  in  wrenching  out  pickets  enough  to  give  him  a  ready 
ingress.  And  taking  up  his  rifle  from  the  hands  of  those  below, 
and  ordering  two  of  them  to  follow,  and  the  other,  who  would 
have  no  means  of  getting  up,  to  act  in  concert  with  Jones,  he  now 
swung  himself  down  upon  the  ground.  In  another  moment,  Sel- 
den  and  the  man  he  had  selected  having  been  equally  succeessful, 
they  all  three  stood  undiscovered  on  the  ground,  in  the  narrow 
space  between  the  wall  and  the  back  side  of  the  house. 

"  Well,  Sdden,"  said  Warrington,  with  a  humorous  look;  in 
what  manner  shall  we  proceed  with  this  formidable  garrison — by 
storm  or  parley  ?  " 

"The  latter,  certainly,  unless  the  storm  is  to  be  a  storm  of 
kisses,"  replied  the  other,  in  the  same  spirit  ;  "but  seriously,  lest 
the  appearance  of  all  of  us  at  once  occasion  unnecessary  alarm,  I 
propose  that  one  of  us  go  forward  alone,  for  this  purpose." 

"  Yours  shall  be  the  chance,  then,  of  displaying  your  bravery, 
gallantry,  or  diplomacy,  as  the  case  may  require,  in  treating  with 
the  fair  commander." 

"Thank'ee,  Captain." 

''But  have  a  caution,  sir — remember  that  other  things  sometimes 
inflict  wounds  besides  leaden  bullets  !  " 

"O,  borrow  no  trouble  on  my  account,  on  either  score,  "gaily 
responded  Selden,  as  he  disappeared  round  the  corner  of  the  house, 
on  his  delicate  mission. 

The  merry  boast  of  the  last  speaker,  however,  had,  but  for  his 
good  fortune,  been  a  vain  one  :  For  the  next  moment  after  he 
passed  out  of  the  sight  of  his  friends,  the  stunning  report  of  a 
musket  saluted  their  ears,  while  a  bullet  whistled  by  them  and 
buried  itself  in  the  wall  of  the  enclosure,  a  few  feet  from  where 
they  stood.  Instantly  springing  forward  toward  the  scene  of 
action,  they  found  Selden  standing  in  mute  surprise,  but  unhurt, 
a  few  yards  in  front  of  the  house,  and  as  many  rods  from  the  mad 
girl,  who,  in  the  suddenness  of  the  alarm  and  trepidation  that 
seized  her,  as  she  accidentally  turned  round  and  unexpectedly  be 
held  an  enemy  within  the  enclosure  and  approaching  her,  had  just 
committed  the  half  involuntary,  half  frenzied  act  of  discharging  at 
him  a  well-loaded  musket,  whose  fatal  contents  he  had  but  narrow 
ly  escaped.  For  a  moment  there  was  a  dead  pause,  during  which 
neither  of  the  parties  stirred  from  their  respective  positions,  being 
nearly  invisible  to  each  other  in  the  smoke  which  was  rising  in 
eddying  whirls  between  them.  Soon,  however,  the  light  and  airy 


i 


62  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

form  of  the  warrior  damsel  became  visible  to  her  astonished  be 
siegers,  There,  pale,  agitated  and  almost  frantic  with  conflicting 
emotions,  she  still  stood,  as  if  chained  to  the  spot,  holding  witli 
convulsive  grasp  the  yet  smoking  musket,  and  apparently  scarcely 
less  frightened  at  what  she  had  done  than  for  her  own  personal 
safety. 

After  gazing  an  instant  with  increasing  consternation  and  alarm, 
as  she  beheld  the  now  treble  number  of  the  enemy,  she  suddenly 
threw  down  her  gun,  and  made  a  desperate  push  to  unbar  the 
gate. 

"Nay,  nay!  lady,"  exclaimed  Warrington,  leaping  forward  to 
her  side,  and  placing  his  hands  firmly  upon  the  bars;  "this  we 
cannot  suffer  now,  though  we  intend  you  no  harm, "  he  continued 
in  a  gentler  tone  :  ' '  but  you  had  better  retire — this  is  no  place  for 
one  of  your  sex.  Mr.  Selden,  will  you  conduct  her  into  the 
house  ?  " 

"Touch  me  not  !  "  half  shrieked  the  baffled  and  maddened  girl, 
shrinking  from  the  touch  of  Selden,  who  now  approached,  and 
offered  to  lead  her  to  the  house;  "touch  me  not,  villain — mon 
ster  ! " 

"  Be  calm — calm  your  fears,  dear  lady  !  "  said  Selden,  in  a  sooth 
ing  and  respectful  tone,  "will  you  hear  me?  Will  you  look  me 
in  the  face  ?  There  !  do  I  appear  like  a  villain  ?  Now  hear  me  : 
although  we  may  try  to  restore  these  possessions  to  their  former, 
and,  as  we  believe,  rightful  owners,  yet,  in  doing  this,  we  would 
not  willingly  injure  a  single  man  of  the  defenders— much  less  a 
female.  Be  prevailed  on,  then,  to  retire,  and  I  pledge  myself,  on 
the  honor  of  a  gentleman,  that  no  hair  of  your  head  shall  be 
injured." 

During  this  address,  the  kind  and  tender  manner  of  which 
seemed  to  strike  unexpectedly  on  her  ears,  she  turned,  and  looking 
full  upon  the  manly  and  handsome  face  of  Selden,  a  change  passed 
over  her  agitated  countenance.  Her  overtasked  nerves  gave  way, 
and  her  assumed  nature  melting  away  into  its  original  softness, 
like  a  storm  of  March  dissolving  into  the  tears  of  April,  she  burst 
into  a  fit  of  hysteric  weeping,  and  now  suffered  herself  to  be  con 
ducted  unresistingly  into  the  house. 

By  this  time  Donald  and  his  men,  who,  on  hearing  the  report  of 
the  musket  just  fired,  as  they  were  making  a  stand  behind  the  last 
log-heap  of  their  line  of  defence,  hastily  discharged  a  parting 
round  at  the  enemy,  and  fled  for  the  works,  had  reached  the  enclo 
sure  ;  and  the  former  was  now  vociferating  the  watchword,  and 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    fiOTS.  63 

rattling  away  at  the  gate  for  admittance.  Meanwhile,  Jones,  with 
his  detachment,  being  apprised  that  his  friends  were  in  possession 
of  the  works  by  a  handkerchief  which  the  latter  had,  as 
a  preconcerted  signal,  hung  on  a  corner  picket,  rushed  on  after 
die  retreating  Scotchmen  on  their  way  to  the  gate,  intending  to 
follow  them  so  closely  that  they  could  have  no  time  to  reload 
thoir  guns  before  they  should  be  compelled  to  surrender. 

Booking  around  and  seeing  his  foes  close  upon  him,  Mclntosh 
redoubled  his  clamor  to  get  in. 

"O,  why  dinna  ye  open  the  gaet?"  exclaimed  the  impatient 
and  distressed  Highlander,  still  ignorant  that  any  others  were 
within  than  those  lie  left  there;  "thae  feckful'  dcevils  are  hard  at 
our  heels.  Och!  oigh!  Jessy,  Jessy  Reed!  is  it  my  ain  Colonel's 
dorhter  that  wad  be  doylt  at  sic  a  time  ?  An'  Zilpah,  is  your 
mistress  dead,  or  ye  a'  fear't  an'  fasht  thegithar,  that  ye  nae 
ken  the  coming  o'  us  ?  " 

41  Your  ladies  are  all  safe  in  the  house,  my  honest  friend,  cried 
out  Warrington  in  reply,  "  but  your  quarters  are  now  in  poses- 
sion  of  other  hands.  You  had  better  surrender,  sir,  as  it  will  be 
of  little  use  to  contend  against  those  who  are  now  too  strong 
for  you,  both  within  and  without." 

The  astonishment  and  dismay  of  the  simple-minded  Scotchman 
at  the  discovery  that  his  foes  had  obtained  a  lodgment  within  his 
strong  hold,  was  unbounded ;  for,  having  perceived  nothing  wrong 
.bout  his  works  at  the  time  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the 
report  of  the  musket  within  them,  and  soon  after  seeing  the  man 
left  outside  by  Warrington  running  out  into  the  field,  he  supposed 
the  gun  was  fired  by  the  bold  and  wayward  girl  who  had  volun 
teered  for  the  service,  only  to  apprise  him  that  some  one  was 
round  the  outside  of  the  works.  And  ho  and  his  men,  having 
given  a  merry  hurra!  for  the  braw  lassie  who  frightened  ;i\vay 
the  skulking  tramper,  had  come  011  and  reached  the  gate  in  the 
confident  expectation  that  in  another  moment  they  should  be 
safely  ensconced  within  their  works,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  all 
pursuers. 

"Gude  guide  us!"  he  ejaculated,  looking  huriedly  around 
him,  while  his  countenance  exhibited  the  very  picture  of  per 
plexity  and  distress;  "Gude  guide  us!  gor't  by  the  rake -hells 
wi'in  nnd  wi'out!  O  what  wad  I  do!  what  wad  I  do!" 

*'  I'll  jest  tell  you  what  to  do,  you  queer  old  divil!  "  sung  out 
Jones,  catching  the  last  part  of  these  exclamations,  as  he  brought 
his  men  to  a  halt  within  two  rods  of  the  Scotchmen,  who  now, 


64  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

mechanically  facing  about,  and  presenting  their  fixed  bayonets  to 
their  opponents,  stood  glumly  awaiting  the  commands  of  their 
leader.  "  I  will  tell  you  what  to  do,"  he  repeated,  "  you  must 
knuckle  to,  old  fellow.  What's  the  particular  use  in  your  stand 
ing  out  against  these  six  loaded  rifles,  to  say  nothing  of  the  Cap 
tain  and  his  folks  inside,  if  they  should  take  a  notion  to  wake 
you  up  a  little  ?  so  I  take  it  the  cunningest  thing  you  can  do  jest 
now  is,  for  you  all  to  throw  down  your  guns  and  surrender. " 

"Hoot  awa'  mon!  "  exclaimed  Mclntosh,  aroused  by  this  fresh 
summons  to  surrender;  "  an'  I  rede  ye'll  find  wese  fight  and  de 
fend  til  the  last  drap  o'  our  bluide !  Attention  there !  "  he  com- 
tinued,  hastily  turning  to  his  men,  "prime  an'  load!  " 

Warring-ton  now  sternly  repeated  his  demand  for  an  immediate 
surrender;  but  the  obstinate  Highlander,  knowing  no  way  of 
obeying  the  military  instruction  of  his  Colonel,  "to  fight  and  de 
fend,"  but  to  fight  on  at  whatever  odds,  or  whatever  the  conse 
quences  to  him  and  his  men,  deigned  no  other  answer  to  this 
repetition  of  the  summons  than  by  urging  his  men  to  despatch  in 
loading  their  pieces. 

"  What  is  to  be  done,  Captain  ?"  coolly  said  Jones,  calling  to 
his  superior,  and  at  the  same  time  giving  a  nod  to  his  men,  at 
which  they  all  promptly  cocked  their  rifles  and  brought  them  to 
their  shoulders;  "speak  tolerable  quick,  if  you've  any  orders, 
for  they  are  about  loaded,  and  we  some  rather  give  than  take 
under  all  the  circumstances." 

"Neither!"  shouted  Warrington,  "do  neither— knock  up 
their  guns !  disarm  them !  grapple  with  them,  and  if  too  many 
for  you,  we'll  soon  be  among  you." 

"A  sudden  furious  rush  was  now  made  by  the  Green  Moun 
tain  Boys  on  their  astonished  antagonists,  who,  not  dreaming  of 
this  mode  of  attack,  and  being  busily  intent  on  loading  their 
guns,  were  taken  by  complete  surprise,  and  to  a  great  disadvan 
tage  to  themselves.  And  before  they  had  recovered  from  their 
astonishment  sufficiently  to  put  themselves  in  a  posture  of  defence, 
most  of  their  guns  were  wrenched  from  their  hands,  their  bodies 
seized  round  the  waist,  and  some  of  them  thrown  to  the  ground ; 
while  grappling  man  with  man,  all  were  instantly  involved  helter 
skelter,  in  the  tremendous  scuffle  that  now  ensued.  And  although 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys  were  now  in  the  exercise  of  their 
favorite  athletics,  and  notwithstanding  their  great  strength  and 
suppleness  of  limb,  they  soon  found  that  the  entire  subjection  of 
these  brawny  and  resolute  Highlanders  was  no  very  easy  task, 


•  THE    (UIKKN    MOUNTAIN-   BOYS.  65 

Tliough  thrown  to  the  ground,  they  had  to  be  held  there ;  though 
knocked  down,  they  again  rose  to  the  fight,  and  though  beaten, 
they  yielded  not.  And  the  victory  had,  perhaps,  been  even 
doubtful,  had  not  Warrington  now  thrown  open  the  gate,  and 
come,  with  a  fresh  force  to  the  rescue.  Then,  indeed  it  was  not 
till  they  saw  their  leader  lying  bound  and  helpless  on  the  ground, 
that  the  pugnacious  Scotchmen  could  be  brought  to  say  that  they 
yielded  themselves  prisoners. 

"I  have  na  yielded  yet,  ye  hogshoutherin  rip  scallions!" 
roared  Donald,  scornfully,  as  he  lay  on  the  ground  with  scarcely 
a  member  of  his  body,  except  his  tongue,  at  liberty;  "I  hae  na 
yielded,  an*  as  muckle  victory  as  ye  think  to  inak  it,  ye  sal  never 
say  that  Donald  Mclntosh  ca'd  himsel  prisoner  wi'out  first  settling 
the  conditions  o'  the  surrender." 

"What  conditions  would  you  have,  brave  Scot?  "  asked  War 
rington,  with  great  show  of  respect,  as  soon  as  he  could  be  heard 
amidst  the  shouts  of  laughter  that  followed  this  ludicrous  decla 
ration  of  the  vanquished  leader. 

"What  conditions  ?  Why  to  be  allowed  to  march  out  wi  a' 
the  honors  o'  war,  an'  a  safe  passport  for  thae  women  an'  a'  the 
gear,  an' property,"  replied  Mclntosh,  somewhat  soothed  by  the 
respectful  manner  of  the  other. 

"  And  will  you  quietly  yield  up  the  place  and  depart,  if  we 
will  allow  you  these  conditions  ? "  rejoined  Warrington,  evident 
ly  disposed  to  humor  the  fallen  warrier  in  his  laughable  demand. 

"  We  wael  bide  thac  terms  of  surrender,"  replied  the  other, 
"an'  ye  hae  the  word  o'  Donald  Mclntosh  till  the  bargain." 

"  We  will  let  the  man  have  his  way  for  the  bravery  he  has 
shown,"  said  Warrington,  turning  to  his  men.  "Take  away  their 
ammunition,  but  restore  them  their  guns,  and  unbind  their  lead 
er.  Now  Captain  Mclntosh,  arise— parade  your  men,  and  con 
duct  the  surrender  in  such  manner  as  suits  your  pleasure." 

Deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  what  he  deemed  the  honor  of 
his  profession  required  in  surrendering  so  important  a  military 
post  of  the  king,  as  he  considered  this,  Mclntosh  arose,  formed 
his  men,  marched  into  the  enclosure,  halted,  faced  about,  sent  a 
corporal  to  bring  out  the  ladies  and  place  them  in  the  rear, 
marched  out  again,  grounded  arms,  and,  with  an  air  of  great 
formality  and  consequence,  pronounced  himself  and  followers 
prisoners  of  war,  to  depart  on  parole,  to  serve  no  more  on  this 
c<>  ist  during  the  war. 

Harrington,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  national  character  of 


66  77/7?    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  13 OYS. 

his  prisoners,  entertaining  no  doubts  of  their  fidelity  in  strictly 
observing  all  the  stipulations  of  their  leader,  now  cordially  invit 
ed  them  to  remain  at  the  post  through  the  night.  And  the  in 
vitation  being  as  cordially  accepted,  both  parties,  within  an  hour, 
were  commingling  in  the  greatest  amity  and  good  feeling,  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys  secretly  elated  with  their  success  in  reduc 
ing  this  strong-hold  of  the  Yorkers,  and  their  late  opponents 
resting  satisfied  with  the  gallant  efforts  they  had  made  in  its  de 
fence. 

The  next  day  the  vanquished,  availing  themselves  of  the  per 
mission  granted  them  by  the  victors,  conveyed  all  the  movable 
property  of  their  master  on  board  several  large  batteaux,  which 
had  been  kept  there  for  the  purpose  of  exporting  lumber  or  other 
products  of  the  farm,  and  set  sail  down  the  Creek  for  St.  Johns, 
or  some  one  of  Colonel  Reed's  possessions  on  the  York  side  of  the 
lake,  near  its  northern  extremity. 

Thus  terminated  this  unique  and  curious  contest,  which  proved 
to  be  the  last  one  of  any  magnitude  that  occurred  between  the 
New  Hampshire  grantees  and  the  Yorkers,  for  the  possession  of 
the  soil  within  the  disputed  territory.  The  place  being  thus  left 
in  the  hands  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  they  immediately  re 
instated  the  owners  and  former  occupants,  and  soon  after, 
strengthening  and  enlarging  the  defences  into  a  more  regular 
fortress,  they  posted  a  small,  permanent  force  there  to  prevent 
so  important  a  position  from  falling  again  into  the  hands  of  the 
Yorkers,  or  any  new  set  of  minions  which  the  late  military  agrcs- 
sor  might  see  fit  to  send  on  for  a  second  forcible  seizure.  No 
further  attempt,  however,  was  made  to  wrest  the  place  from  their 
hands;  nor  did  any  of  the  late  offenders  ever  make  their  appear 
ance  in  the  place,  except  the  brave  and  honest,  though  strangely 
mistaken  Mclntosh,  who,  indeed,  after  a  while  returned,  but 
with  views  not  a  little  altered.  For  becoming  by  some  means 
undeceived  as  to  the  nature  of  his  late  trust,  and  being  excessive 
ly  mortified  at  the  development,  which  robbed  him,  in  his  own 
estimation,  of  nearly  all  the  glory  he  had  gained  in  defending 
it,  he  seemed  to  have  forsworn  the  military,  for  a  more  quiet 
profession.  And  purchasing  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood,  he 
settled  down  upon  it,  and,  in  the  peaceable  pursuits  of  agricul 
ture,  spent  the  remainder  of  an  unusually  long  life,  no  less  re 
spected  for  scrupulous  honesty,  than  distinguished  for  the  whim 
sical  absurdities  that  occasionally  marked  his  conduct.* 

*  Mclntosh  died  in  the  town  of  Pantou,  VI.,  near  the  place  of  the  exploits  hert 
described,  in  the  year  1813,  I  think. 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  67 

But  there  is  one  of  the  conquered  band  whom  wo  have  no 
notion  of  disposing  of  in  so  summary  a  manner — we  mean  the 
heroine  of  the  party — the  spirited,  wild,  wayward,  and  beautiful 
Jessy  Reed,jwho  was,  indeed,  no  other  than  the  daughter  of  ihe 
usurping  Colonel.  The  singularity  of  the  position  which  our 
band  found  her  occupying  at  this  place,  and  the  attending  circum 
stances,  we  will  give  her  an  opportunity  of  hereafter  explaining, 
and  content  ourselves  for  the  present  with  a  few  words  respecting 
her  destination,  and  the  manner  of  her  departure  from  the  scene 
where  she  was  introduced  to  the  leader.  Instead  of  going  with 
Mclntosh  and  his  men  to  the  north,  she  had  expressed  a  wish  to 
proceed  to  the  residence  of  a  family  with  whom  her  father  was 
intimate,  living  near  the  south  end  of  the  lake.  But  the  large 
boats  being  all  required  to  transport  the  effects,  and  the  hands 
needed  to  man  them,  an  open  skiff,  and  one  man  to  row  it,  were 
the  only  accommodations  that  could  well  be  afforded  her.  Still 
she  persisted  in  her  determination.  But  should  she  be  permitted 
to  embark  with  no  more  attendants  ?  The  air  of  extreme  novelty 
attending  this_singuliar  girl,  together  with  her  personal  attractions, 
had  from  the  first  made  a  strong  impression  on  the  mind  of  Selden. 
He  began  with  playing  the  soother — succeeded,  and  became  her 
attendant,  the  evening  after  the  affray,  in  a  twilight  walk  along 
the  banks  of  the  Otter,  during  which  he  was  as  much  surprised 
at  the  exhibition  of  intelligence  and  wit,  into  which  he  had  art 
fully  drawn  her,  as  charmed  and  interested  with  her  beauty,  and 
a  certain  piquancy  and  dash  of  romance  which  nature  and  a  semi- 
military  education  had  thrown  into  her  character.  But  how  far 
this  interest  was  reciprocated,  he  had  no  means  of  judging.  And 
should  he  now  offer  to  become  her  attendant  on  her  proposed 
voyage  through  the  lake,  would  the  offer  be  received  ?  Would 
she  suffer  to  attend  her  one  of  those  who  had  wrested  away  her 
father's  possessions;  one  from  whom  she  yesterday  recoiled  as 
from  the  touch  of  a  viper,  branding  him  with  the  epithets  of 
villain  and  monster  ?  Sudden  metamorphosis  are  no  miracles 
in  this  changing  world,  thought  Selden,  and  a  failure  in  this  case 
shall  not  happen  from  the  want  of  an  attempt.  He  delicately 
'made  the  proposal.  She  hesitated,  blushed  a  little,  and  accepted. 
fc"  Was  ever  woman  in  such  humor  woo'd  ? " 


68  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    ROYS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


*'  And  I  methinks,  till  I  am  old, 
A  fairer  maid  shall  ne'er  behold — 
The  eloping  lawn,  the  cottage  small, 
The  outspread  lake,  the  waterfall, 

And  thou  the  spirit  of  them  all!  " 


A  FEW  miles  from  the  eastern  side  of  Lake  Champlain,  and 
nearly  opposite  to  Crown  Point,  where  now  moulder  the  ruins  of 
one  of  the  oldest  fortresses  in  North  America,  a  bald,  jagged,  and 
desolate  looking  peak,  known  by  the  ungracious  appellation  of 
Snake  Mountain,  stands  frowning  over  the  surroanding  levels  in 
solitary  and  repulsive  grandeur.  This  detached  and  lofty  moun 
tain,  being  the  highest  and  indeed  the  only  eminence  of  any  mag 
nitude,  in  all  that  extensive  and  beautiful  tract  of  country  lying 
between  the  lake  and  Otter  Creek  for  the  last  thirty  miles  of  its 
course,  served  among  the  settlers,  before  roads  were  much  opened 
in  this  part  of  the  wilderness,  as  a  guide,  or  land-mark  for  all 
those  who  had  occasion  to  travel  the  woodlands  in  this  vicinity. 
And  Warrington,  after  safely  establishing  his  friends  in  their 
possessions  at  the  Lower  Falls,  and  despatching  a  small  band  of 
his  forces  in  pursuit  of  the  York  Surveyor,  repaired,  with  the 
remainder  of  his  men,  to  the  western  brow  of  this  mountain,  as 
a  rendezvous  to  which  his  whole  party  were  to  assemble  when 
the  surveyor  was  secured,  proposing  to  employ  the  interim  in 
making  observations  preparatory  to  some  contemplated  operations 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  place.  He  was,  as  the  reader  has 
already  been  apprised,  the  owner,  under  a  New  Hampshire  Grant, 
of  a  considerable  body  of  wild  land,  lying  along  the  shore  of  the 
lake,  upon  a  part  of  which,  he  had  been  informed,  some  one  had 
entered  under  color  of  a  York  title.  And  as  the  tract  of  land  in 
question  was  situated  between  this  mountain  and  the  lake,  it  was 
now  his  intention  to  ascertain  whether  the  information  he  had 
received  was  correct,  and,  if  found  to  be  so,  to  take  measures  for 
ejecting  the  intruder,  whose  name  even  was  unknown  to  him. 
Wrh  this  object  in  view,  our  leader,  leaving  his  men  to  prepare 
si  shelter  for  their  temporary  quarters,  took  his  rifle,  and  set  off 


THE    GimEN    MOUNTAIN    ROYS.  GO 

alone  through  the  woods  in  the  direction  in  which  the  improve 
ments  of  the  supposed  intruder  were  said  to  be  located.  After 
traveling  some  miles  in  this  direction,  he  arrived  at  the  top  of 
the  last  offset,  in  the  lakeward  slope  of  the  country,  before  reach 
ing  the  shore,  which  now  appeared  a  short  distance  in  front,  while 
an  opening  of  considerable  extent  became  visible  on  the  left.  Ap 
proaching  the  skirt  of  this  opening,  and  carefully  noticing  the 
natural  land  marks  around  it,  he  soon  became  convinced  that  the 
whole  clearing,  with  all  the  improvements,  was  embraced  within 
the  boundaries  described  in  his  own  patent.  Having  satisfied  him 
self  in  this  respect,  he  now  turned  his  attention  more  particularly 
to  the  improvements  themselves,  and  felt  a  degree  of  surprise  on 
witnessing  their  comparative  extent  and  superiority  over  the  rest 
of  those  of  this  recently  settled  country.  The  house  was  uncom 
monly  neat  and  comfortable  in  its  appearance,  and  very  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  green  and  graduated  margin  of  a  beautiful  little 
brook,  that  meandered,  with  many  a  glittering  cascade,  through  a 
smooth  meadow,  and  entered  the  woods  a  few  rods  below  the  spot 
where  he  stood.  The  out-house,  barn,  garden,  and  every  thing 
around,  were  in  good  keeping — all  going  to  furnish  unequivocal 
indication,  that  enterprise,  taste,  and  some  degree  of  wealth,  had 
here  been  employed.  Much  did  Warrington  wonder  who 
could  be  the  enterprising  occupant,  who  had  accomplished  all 
this  in  so  short  a  time,  and  still  more,  that  it  could  have  been  done 
without  more  particular  intelligence  reaching  him  respecting  it. 
But  whoever  he  might  be,  it  was  not  probable  that  he  would 
part  with  such  fair  possessions  without  a  struggle;  and  as  a 
garrison  was  near,  the  troops  of  which  were  understood  to  be  in 
the  York  interest,  and  stood  ready,  doubtless,  to  protect  the  in 
truder,  Warrington  at  once  saw  that  a  considerable  force  might 
be  necessary  to  disposses  him,  and  even  should  the  attempt  be  suc 
cessfully  made,  the  same  force  might  be  required  to  be  per 
manently  stationed  there  to  defend  it.  After  revolving  this 
subject  in  his  mind  awhile,  he  concluded  to  defer  it  for  further 
consideration,  and  perhaps  for  a  consultation  with  his  companions ; 
and  now  dismissing  the  matter  from  his  mind,  he  again  gave  his 
attention  to  the  inviting  prospect  around  him.  The  day  was 
bright  and  tranquil;  the  balmy  breath  of  spring,  wafted  over 
flowering  field  and  budding  forest,  was  dallying  with  the  whis 
pering  pines  above,  thus  gratifying  one  sense  with  delicious  odors, 
;md  soothing  another  with  the  soft  and  dying  murmurs  of  yEolian 
melody.  The  long  tract  of  the  far  stretching  waters  of  the  lake, 


70  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

sleeping  in  the  rays  of  the  descending  sun,  shone  with  dazzling 
brightness,  which,  at  intervals,  was  beautifully  relieved  by  the 
dark  green  islands  which  studded  the  glittering  expanse.  The 
sloping  uplands  beyond,  which  reanimating  nature  was  just  begin 
ning  to  clothe  in  the  green  vesture  of  summer,  rose  up  from  the 
long  line  of  nodding  pines  that  lined  the  western  margin  of  the 
laue,  in  beautiful  perspective,  each  individual  feature  of  the  land 
scape  becoming  more  and  more  indistinct  in  the  mellowing 
distance,  till  the  view  was  terminated  by  the  last  long  ridge  of 
climecteric  mountains,  whose  tall  ice-clad  peaks,  fiercely  flashing 
in  the  sun,  were  marked  in  bold  outlines  against  the  cloudless  blue 
of  the  heavens.  A  solitary  flag  was  waving  over  the  massy  and 
frowning  walls  of  the  opposite  fortress,  on  which  the  Mene  Tel-el 
had  already  been  traced  by  the  unseen  hand  that  writes  the  destinies 
of  nations:  for  the  emblem  lion,  that  there  now  proudly  floated  on 
the  breeze,  and  glorying  in  his  strength  and  prowess,  seemrd 
bidding  defiance  to  the  world,  was  doomed,  before  many  revolv 
ing  suns  had  finished  their  daily  course,  to  be  plucked  down  by 
those,  who  were  alike  fearless  in  their  resistance  to  oppression, 
whether  coining  from  a  sister  colony  or  a  parent  country. 

While  Warrington,  who  was  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  nature, 
with  whom  he  particularly  loved  to  commune  in  the  solitudes  of 
the  forest,  where  her  empire  was  undisturbed  by  the  works  of  art, 
was  giving  his  soul  to  the  magnificent  prospect  before  him,  he 
was  recalled  from  his  reverie  by  the  light  plashing  of  oars  in  the 
waters  below.  And  turning  his  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the  sound, 
he  indistinctly  discerned  through  the  trees  a  small  skiff  approach 
ing  the  shore  of  the  lake,  rowed  by  a  single  person,  who,  on 
reaching  his  landing,  drew  up  his  boat,  and,  after  taking  out  of  it 
a  gun,  ascended  the  bank.  As  he  emerged  from  the  thick  under 
wood  that  skirted  the  shore  into  the  more  open  forest,  and  ad 
vanced  into  the  higher  grounds,  Warrington  soon  discovered, 
from  his  uniform,  that  he  was  a  soldier,  or  some  subaltern,  from 
the  fort,  who  had  come  over,  he  concluded,  in  search  of  the  par 
tridge,  or  other  light  game,  with  which  the  woods  here  very  plen 
tifully  abounded.  The  man  still  continued  leisurely  to  advance 
into  the  forest  till  he  had  reached  the  runlet  before  mentioned  ; 
when  something  on  his  right,  in  the  direction  of  the  clearing, 
seemed  suddenly  to  attract  his  notice.  And,  after  pausing  awhile 
in  apparent  doubt  and  indecision,  he  began  somewhat  cautiously, 
and  with  an  air  of  hesitation,  to  move  forward  towards  the  object 
which  had  arrested  his  attention,  and  which  he  still  ap- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS.  71 

pcared  to  keep  anxiously  in  view.  Our  leader,  who  in  the 
meanwhile  kept  his  stand  unobserved,  supposing  the  other  had 
sprung  some  game  at  which  he  was  endeavoring  to  obtain  a 
favorable  shot,  continued,  with  a  sort  of  listless  curiosity,  to 
watch  his  motions,  till  he  had  passed  out  of  sight  behind  an  in 
tervening  copswood  of  low  firs,  that  thickly  extended  along  the 
slope,  some  half  dozen  rods  from  the  clearing.  In  a  few  mo 
ments,  and  as  the  former  yet  stood  patiently  listening  for  the  re 
port  of  the  expected  shot,  the  voice  of  a  female,  coming  from  the 
quarter  to  which  his  attention  was  directed,  aud  uttering  a  slight  i 
cry,  as  of  mingled  surprise  and  alarm,  reached  his  ear.  The  voice 
of  the  man  was  next  heard  in  the  earnest,  though  flurried  tones 
of  seeming  entreaty,  which  appeared  to  be  followed  by  a  hasty 
movement  towards  the  object  addressed, — and  in  a  moment  more 
a  piercing  shriek  rose  wildly  from  the  spot.  Grasping  his  rifle, 
and  plunging  into  the  thicket,  Warrington  bounded  down  the 
hill  with  the  speed  of  a  wild  deer  towards  the  scene ;  and  in 
another  instant  the  parties  were  revealed  to  his  sight — a  young 
lady  of  the  most  interesting  exterior,  with  her  hair  loosened  and 
falling  in  disorder  over  her  neck  and  shoulders,  and  her  flushed 
countenance  eloquent  with  indignation  and  alarm,  as  with  half- 
averted  face  she  struggled  to  free  herself  from  the  fellow,  who, 
by  a  grasp  of  one  hand  on  her  garment,  was  endeavoring  to  de 
tain  her  in  her  attempted  flight.  One  glance  at  the  victim  of 
this  rude  assault  sufficed  to  tell  the  unexpecting  and  astonished 
Warrington  that  the  fair  original  of  that  picture,  which  had  been 
so  long  engraven  on  his  heart,  was  before  him,  requiring  his  in 
stant  aid  and  protection. 

"Back!  ruffian,  back!"  exclaimed  he,  as  with  levelled  piece 
he  rushed  upon  the  soldier,  who  stood  mute  and  confounded  be 
fore  so  unlooked  for  an  apparition ;  ' '  back !  I  say — unhand  th« 
lady,  or  you  die  on  the  spot !  " 

Quailing  beneath  the  stern  and  withering  glances  of  the  other- 
the  abashed  agressor  immediately  relinquished  his  hold  on  the 
girl,  and  muttering  a  denial  of  any  intentional  wrong  and  a  few 
curses  at  the  interference  of  Warriugton,  shrunk  away  and  dis 
appeared  in  the  woods. 

"I  am  much  indebted  to  you,  sir,"  said  the  still  agitated  maid 
en,  scarce  audibly,  her  eyes  timidly  bent  on  the  ground,  as  her 
protector  now  gently  advanced  to  her  side. 

"  Miss  Hendee  " — said  Warrington,  hesitatingly,  after  an  awk- 


72  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

ward  silence  of  a  moment;  "  do  I  not  behold  my  former  acquaint 
ance,  Miss  Alma  Hendee  ? " 

''Mr.  Howard?  "  exclaimed  the  girl,  as  with  deep  surprise  she 
now  for  the  first  time  lifted  her  eyes  to  scan  the  features  of  hei 
before  unrecognized  deliverer. 

A  slight  flush  passed  over  the  face  of  the  other,  on  hearing  him 
self  addressed  by  that  name,  and  he  opened  his  lips  as  if  to  cor 
rect  his  fair  friend,  but  a  second  thought  seemed  to  repress  the 
expression  of  the  first,  and,  quickly  recovering  from  his  hesita 
tion,  he  observed,  u  I  little  thought  to  have  met  you  here,  Miss 
Hendee.  I  could  almost  forgive  the  wretch  who  caused  you  this 
fright,  since  he  has  been  the  means  of  my  meeting  again  with 
one  whom  I  have  never  ceased  to  remember  with  pleasure.  But 
you  have  companions  near,  surely  ?  " 

"  No  nearer  than  the  house,  from  which  I  wandered  down  the 
run  just  now,  and,  tempted  by  these  flowrets  peeping  up  along 
the  banks,  extended  my  ramble,  perhaps  imprudently,  thus  far 
into  the  woods." 

"  And  is  this  fair  situation,  then,  your  home — the  residence  of 
your  father  ? " 

"  Certainly  it  is,"  replied  Miss  Hendee,  resuming  her  natural 
cheerfulness;  "why,  surely,  Mr.  Howard,  you  did  not  suppose  I 
had  turned  wood-nymph  to  wander  in  the  forests,  and  house  in 
the  caves — did  you  ?  " 

"  I  hardly  knew  what  to  think,  for  it  never  occurred  to  me 
that  the  father  of  Alma  Hendee  could  be  in  possession  of  this 
beautiful  opening." 

"  And  why  not,  my  dear  sir?  Why,  we  have  been  here  these 
three  years.  And  if  we  have  not  made  the  wilderness  blossom 
like  the  rose,  we  have  at  least  got  so  far  as  to  make  the  rose 
blossom  in  the  wilderness — corne,  you  shall  attend  me  home,  and 
see  what  a  pretty  flower-garden  I  have  in  progress." 

"To  the  opening,  at  least,"  responded  Warrington,  obeying 
the  motions  of  his  fair  companion. 

"  And  now,  sir,"  resumed  the  latter  gaily,  as  they  proceeded 
on  their  way,  "having  answered  your  questions,  let  me  be  the 
catechist  awhile,  will  you  \  And  in  the  first  place,  from  what 
cloud  so  opportunely  dropped  my  gallant  deliverer,  just  at  the 
particular  moment  he  was  wanted  ?  " 

"I,  too,  am  an  inhabitant  of  the  Green  Mountain  settlement; 
though  not  of  this  vicinity,"  answered  the  other;  "  and  you  see,'! 
he  continued,  smilingly  pointing  to  his  rifle,  "that  my  old  pro- 


THE    GREKN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  73 

pensities  still  hang  about  me  ;  and  for  the  present  you  must  take 
this  as  an  explanation  of  my  wandering  into  this  section  of  the 
country.  I  had  just  arrived  at  the  border  of  the  woods  up 
yonder,  and  was  viewing  your  delightful  situation,  when  your 
cries  brought  me  to  your  side." 

"I  am  half  ashamed  of  the  noise  I  made,"  rejoined  the  lady, 
"  and  I  presume  it  was  unnecessary.  He  has  occasionally  been 
at  our  house ;  and  how  far  he  considered  himself  warranted  on 
such  an  acquaintance  to  obtrude  himself  as  he  did,  I  know  not. 
But  being  startled  by  the  fellow's  unexpected  appearance,  and 
uncertain,  from  his  hesitating  nud  equivocal  manner,  what  might 
be  the  nature  of  the  proposals,  which  he  said  he  wished  to  make, 
and  which  at  last  he  seemed  determined  I  should  stop  to  hear, 
I  became  much  alarmed,  I  will  confess;  though  I  should  feel 
excessively  mortified  to  have  any  stir  made  about  it.  I  hope 
you  will  not  mention  the  affair  to  my  father  when  we  get  home  ?  " 

"Certainly  not,  if  it  is  your  wish — that  is,  I  would  not,  if  I 
were  to  see  him,"  replied  Warrington,  pausing,  as  they  now 
came  into  the  open  field. 

"  But  surely,  sir,  you  will  go  to  the  house  ?  My  father  will 
be  very  much  pleased  to  renew  his  acquaintance  with  his  Doctor 
Hunter,  as  he  would  always  persist  in  calling  you." 

"Your  kind  invitation,  believe  me,  Miss  Hendee,  is  most 
gratefully  received  ;  but  I  think  it  would  hardly  be  advisable 
for  me  at  this  timo  to  accept  it." 

"And  why  not? — so  near,  and  not  visit  us?  I  know  my 
father  will  be  delighted  to  see  you,  and  have  you  spend  several 
days  with  us — particularly  so,  I  imagine,  at  the  present  time, 
when  he  is  not  without  apprehensions  of  an  attack  from  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  as  they  call  them.  Why,  did  you  know 
that  a  band  of  these  men  have,  for  several  days  past,  been 
ravaging  the  settlement  along  Otter  Creek,  headed  by  that  ter 
rible  fellow,  Captain  Warrington  ?  " 

"  I  heard,"  replied  the  other,  confused  and  stammering  at  this 
unexpected  question,  and  the  commentary  on  his  own  character 
which  he  perceived  it  involved  in  the  mind  of  his  fair  companion, 
"  I  heard — that  is,  I  was  aware  that  the  person  you  mention 
had  come  into  this  part  of  the  country.  But  your  father  need 
be  under  no  apprehension  on  that  account ; "  he  continued, 
regaining  his  composure,  "  for  I  think  I  can  very  safely  answer 
for  Warrington,  that  neither  he,  nor  any  of  his  followers  shall 
ever  disturb  the  father  of  Alma  Hendee." 


71  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

"You  can!  can  you?  But  why  couple  my  name  so  very 
oddly  with  that  of  this  fearful  man  ? — I  do  not  fully  comprehend 
— I  know  there  are  two  parties  in  this  settlement,  and  I  suppose 
he  and  his  company  pretend  to  be  acting  for  the  New  Hampshire 
party.  Perhrps  you  belong  to  this  party,  and  know  him,  and 
can  influence  him  in  our  behalf  ?  Oh !  if  you  would ! — But  come, 
do  go  to  the  house  with  me,  and  assure  my  father  of  this." 

"  Not  now — another  time — perhaps  to-morrow,  I  may  visit 
you — that  is  If —  "  and  Warrington  paused  and  hesitated,  as  if 
doubtful  whether  to  proceed,  while,  with  a  waiting  and  wondering 
expression,  the  girl  stood  earnestly  looking  him  in  the  face. 
''Miss  Ilendee,"  he  at  length  resumed,  somewhat  pensively, 
''you  left  the  place,  which  afforded  me  the  pleasure  of  your 
acquaintance,  unexpectedly, — quite  so  to  me.  On  my  return  a 
day  or  two  after  our  last  interview,  to  my  great  disappointment, 
I  found  you  were  gone — whither,  I  was  never  able  to  discover." 

"We  intended  you  no  disrespect,  however,  Mr.  Howard,  in 
leaving  thus  unceremoniously,"  replied  the  girl,  exchanging  the 
free  and  cordial,  for  a  more  guarded  and  distant  manner,  as  if 
she  instinctively  anticipated  what  was  to  follow.  "  My  father, 
who,  as  you  are  aware,  had  then  become  able  to  resume  his 
journey,  gained  some  information  from  a  traveler,  who  called  in 
your  absence,  which  led  him  to  determine  on  leaving  the  place 
the  next  morning.  I  should  certainly  have  been  happy  at  that 
time  to  see  you  again  and  apprise  you  of  our  departure." 

"  At  that  time,"  rejoined  the  other,  catching  the  emphasis,  and 
slowly,  and  with  a  tone  of  disappointment,  repeating  the  expres 
sion,  "at  that  time," — and  have  Miss  Hendee's  feelings,  then, 
changed  since  I  last  saw  her  ?  " 

"I  then  esteemed  you,  Mr.  Howard,  much — very  much,  in 
deed,"  she  evasively  replied,  looking  down,  while  her  fingers  were 
busy  in  tearing  a  flower  that  she  had  plucked  by  the  way: 
"  I  thought  highly  of  you— very;  and  I  still  know  not  why  I 
should  not  regard  you  with  the  same  respect." 

"Respect,  my  dear  Miss  Hendee,  is  a  term  that  falls  coldly  on 
the  ears  of  those  who  are  looking,  or  at  least  hoping,  for  a  warmer 
expression.  You  were  sensible,  were  you  not,  that,  at  the  time 
to  which  we  have  been  alluding,  I  was  cherishing  for  you  a  ten 
derer  sentiment  ?  " 

"I  had  no  right  to  understand  so,"  tremulously  replied  the 
lovely  listener,  the  quick  heavings  of  whose  bosom  plainly  told 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  75 

the  tumult  that  had  been  awakened  within ;  "you  certainly  made 
no  professions  that  would  warrant  me  in  such  a  belief." 

"  MJSS  Hendee, "  resumed  the  other,  after  a  pause,  "you  were,  if 
I  rightly  understood  your  character,  as  I  presume  you  are  now,  a 
frank  and  ingenious  girl.  May  I  then  not  hope,  that,  in  kindness 
to  me,  you  will  give  a  frank  answer  to  a  question  which  I  would 
ask  you  ?  " 

"  If  a  proper  one." 

"If  then  a  profession,  which  I  intended  to  have  made  you,  had 
opportunity  been  allowed,  were  to  be  made  now,  are  there  more 
obstacles  now,  than  then,  to  prevent  it  being  favorably  received  ?  " 

She  made  no  reply,  and  Warrington,  stealing  a  glance  at  her 
averted  face,  perceived  that  her  eyes  were  suffused  with  tears. 

"There  is,  indeed,  then,  one  between  us,"  at  length  said  the 
other  sadly. 

"  There  is, "  was  the  reply  in  a  tone  of  regret,  which  should 
have  satisfied  even  the  monopolizing  heart  of  a  lover.  But  love 
with  men,  oftener  than  otherwise  wholly  blind  to  policy,  is  rarely 
content  to  rest  satisfied  witli  those  indirect  expressions  and  deli 
cate  intimations,  which  are  a  surer  proof  of  its  existence  in  the 
female  heart  than  the  most  open  declarations,  and,  absurdly  crav 
ing  more,  is  not  unfrequently  compelled  to  put  up  with  less.  It 
was  thus  with  our  lover  as  he  rejoined — 

"  May  I  not  have  the  happiness  to  hear  those  lips  declare  that 
my  affection  has  been  in  some  measure  reciprocated  ?  " 

Still  there  was  no  reply. 

"  Am  I  to  understand,"  resumed  Warrington,  "  that  Miss  Hen- 
dee  baa  pledged  her  hand  irrevocably  ?  And  can  it  be  that  she 
has  pledged  herself  too  for  a  union  into  which  her  heart  can 
never  enter  ?  " 

"What  have  I  said,  Mr.  Howard,"  replied  the  girl,  looking  up 
with  the  air  of  offended  pride,  "to  warrant  such  questions? 
With  some,  perhaps,  I  might  not  be  slow  to  resent  your  intima 
tion.  And  as  it  is,"  the  continued  with  great  dignity,  "you  will 
hold  me  excused,  I  trust,  for  declining  to  commune  further  on  a 
subject  which  should  now  be  as  uninteresting  to  you,  as  it  is  em- 
barrasiug,  and  even  painful  to  me." 

"Surely,  surely!  dearest  lady,  you  cannot  believe  that  I  would 
intentionally  offend  ?"  said  the  disconcerted  lover.  "We  will, 
however,  dismiss  this  subject  for  the  present,  if  so  unpleasant." 

"  For  the  present,  and  forever!  " 

"  If  it  must  be  so— and  yet  "  — 


76  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"No  more,  no  more — I  know  not  even  that  I  have  done  right 
in  listening  to  what  you  have  already  said,  or  remaining  here  so 
long.  You  will  now  receive  my  adieu,  and  excuse  my  immediate 
return." 

"  One  moment  yet — you  will  not  deny  me  another  interview  ?'J 

"  At  my  father's  house,  and  in  my  father's  presence,  most  cer 
tainly  not." 

"  Even  on  these  hard  conditions,  I  will,  then,  soon  seek  it- 
cruel  one,  adieu." 

"Adieu!"  responded  the  beauteous  girl,  as,  tripping  lightly 
away,  she  looked  back  with  a  smile  so  eloquently  sweet,  that  it 
erased  in  an  instant  the  effect  of  every  frown  she  had  given,  and 
every  negative  she  had  uttered,  from  the  mind  of  her  repulsed, 
but  not  despairing  lover. 

The  progress  we  have  now  made  in  our  story  makes  it  neces 
sary  to  recur  to  some  incidents  of  an  earlier  date,  connected  with 
several  of  our  leading  personages,  and  having  a  bearing  on  the 
events  yet  to  follow : — 

Some  three  or  four  years  previous  to  the  events  just  related, 
and  when  the  settlers  were  first  meditating  an  open  resistance 
to  the  authorities  of  New  York,  it  became  an  object  with  the  for 
mer  to  ascertain  how  far  the  government  of  that  province  was 
there  sustained  in  its  attempted  aggression  on  the  Grants,  by  the 
feelings  and  opinions  of  the  people  at  large — whether,  indeed, 
there  did  not  exist  among  that  people,  especially  those  living 
near  the  disputed  territory,  a  considerable  degree  of  sympathy 
for  the  settlers  in  their  unrighteous  persecutions.  For  in  the 
event  of  such  a  sympathy,  the  latter  believed  that  the  meditated 
resistance  might  be  ventured  upon  with  safety,  or  with  safety,  at 
least,  when  compared  with  a  case  where  the  feelings  of  the  peo 
ple  were  enlisted  on  the  side  of  the  government.  It  was  there 
fore  determined  that  an  emissary  should  be  sent  into  the  part  of 
New  York  lying  contiguous  to  the  Grants,  who,  traveling  in  dis 
guise,  or  with  disguised  objects,  should  endeavor  to  ascertain  the 
true  sentiments  and  feelings  of  the  people  on  this  subject :  and 
Warrington  was  the  person  selected  for  this  delicate,  though 
important  enterprise.  Accordingly  setting  out  alone  with  hisi 
rifle,  and  traveling  on  foot  under  the  assumed  name  of  Howard, 
and  in  the  character  of  a  hunter  and  herbalist,  he  traveled  all 
that  section  of  the  country  into  which  he  had  been  particularly 
Bent,  calling  at  almost  every  house  in  his  course  and  mingling 
with  all  companies  and  classes  in  pursuing  the  objects  of  his 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  77 

secret  mission.  And  it  was  while  on  this  excursion,  that  he  acci 
dentally  formed  the  interesting  acquaintance,  of  which  the  reader 
lias  already  been  apprised.  Happening  on  om3  of  the  main  road* 
leading  from  the  east  to  Albany,  he  was  overtaken  by  a  gentle 
man  and  lady  in  a  carriage,  traveling  towards  the  last  mentioned 
place.  They  had  passed  by  him  but  a  few  rods,  however,  before 
the  horse  suddenly  took  fright  and  overturned  the  carriage,  by 
which  the  man  was  seriously  hurt,  though  the  lady  fortunately 
escaped  with  little  injury.  Springing  forward  to  their  aid,  War- 
ringtou,  after  securing  the  horse  with  n  >  little  difficulty  and  dan 
ger,  turned  his  attention  to  the  travelers,  who  proved  to  be  a 
father  and  daughter  of  the  name  of  Hendee.  Assisting  the 
wounded  man  into  his  vehicle,  and  placing  his  daughter  by  his 
side  to  support  him,  he  attended  them,  leading  the  horse  to  the 
nearest  habitation,  which  was  a  poor  inn  not  far  from  the  place 
of  the  accident.  And  having  formerly  been  placed  in  circum 
stances  in  which  he  had  gained  considerable  practical  knowledge 
of  medicine,  he,  in  the  absence  of  a  regular  physician  in  that 
thinly  settled  country,  undertook  the  cure  of  the  invalid  himself, 
closely  attending  him  till  he  became  convalescent,  and  repeating 
his  visits,  at  short  intervals,  during  the  two  or  three  weeks  that 
elapsed  before  the  patient  was  able  to  resume  his  journey.  And 
it  was  during  these  visits,  in  which  he  had  evidently  found  great 
favor  in  the  eyes  of  both  father  and  daughter,  by  the  kindness 
and  delicacy  of  his  attentions,  that  he  had  contracted  an  intimacy 
with  the  latter,  which  soon  passed  the  ordinary  boundaries  of 
friendship,  and  ripened  into  that  blissful  state  of  the  affections, 
which  constitutes,  perhaps,  the  most  purely  happy  period  in  the 
course  of  love — when  the  feelings  of  parties  are  tacitly  under 
stood  and  appreciated  by  each  other,  before  an  open  avowal 
occurs  to  throw  with  its  business  like  aspect,  the  first  shade  of 
earth  ever  this  paradise  of  the  heart.  It  was  at  this  interesting 
stage  of  the  intimacy  that  Warrington  returned  one  day,  after  a 
longer  absence  than  usual,  and  found,  to  his  great  disappointment 
and  regret,  that  Hendee  and  his  daughter  had  departed  the  day 
before,  without  leaving  any  note  or  message,  as  he  then  could 
learn,  explanatory  of  their  unannounced,  and,  to  him  unexpected 
departure.  Believing  from  this,  that  he  might  have  been  perhaps, 
deceived  in  regard  to  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  interest,  which 
he  had  flattered  himself  he  had  created  in  the  bosom  of  Miss 
Ilendee,  and  feeling  a  little  piqued  at  this  appearance  of  neglect 
on  the  part  of  both  father  and  daughter,  hu  soon  ceased  his  un 


73  THE    (jUlEEN    MOUNTAIN 

availing  enquiries  concerning  the  family.  And  he  had  nevel 
heard  anything  further  respecting  them,  or  received  the  slightest 
information  of  the  place  of  their  subsequent  residence,  except 
the  vague  and  uncertain  information  which  he  gathered  in  his 
adventure  at  the  subterraneous  abode  before  described,  from 
that  time  to  the  present  hour,  when  to  his  utter  surprise,  he 
found  them  located  on  his  own  land.  And  now  having  no 
suspicion  that  they  were  conscious  of  intruding  on  the  righu 
of  another,  and  last  of  all,  his  own,  in  taking  up  this  place 
under  a  York  patent,  and  still  cherishing  all  his  former  sen 
timents  for  the  daughter,  whose  heart  he  believed  he  still 
retained  notwithstanding  the  claims  of  another  to  her  hand,  he 
resolved  to  relinquish  his  right  to  the  land,  and  even  keep  his 
ownership,  if  possible,  a  secret  from  the  family,  while  he  should 
prosecute  his  suit  with  the  girl,  at  least  till  he  had  unraveled 
the  mystery  that  still  seemed  to  hang  over  her,  and  become  l^cttet 
satisfied  of  the  hopelessness  of  his  case. 

Revolving  this  subject  in  his  mind,  he  returned  to  his  encamp 
ment,  and  announced  to  his  wondering  companions,  that  he  should 
have  no  occasion  to  employ  them  in  the  affair  which,  as 
were  apprised,  he  had  been  to  investigate. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


:  Let  us  be  conjunctive  in  our  rerenge." 
'Tls  lucky!  I  can  work  my  purposes, 
While  seeming  but  to  do  the  state  a  service.' 


PERHAPS  there  is  no  kind  of  hatred,  that  finds  harbor  in  the 
liuman  breast,  more  deadly  and  inveterate  than  that  which  is  en 
tertained  by  the  perpetrators  of  base  actions  against  those  who 
have  detected  them  in  guilt.  Nor  does  the  degree  of  inveteracy 
with  which  this  fiendish  feeling  is  secretly  cherished  by  the  for 
mer,  appeared  to  be  very  often  lessened  by  any  forbearance  which 
may  be  exercised  by  the  latter  in  not  exposing  their  baseness,  or 
bringing  them  to  punishment.  We  will  not  detain  the  reader, 
however,  with  any  speculations  of  our  own  on  this  dark  and 


THE    GREEN"    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  70 

somewhat  singular  leaf  in  the  history  of  the  human  passions, 
but  leave  th-e  subject  to  be  illustrated  by  those  incidents  of  our 
story,  by  which  these  remarks  were  here  suggested. 

When  the  discomfited  soldier  retreated  from  the  presence  of 
Warrington  and  the  rescued  maiden,  he  concealed  himself  in  a 
thicket,  from  which  he  could  espy  the  movements  of  the  couple 
till  they  separated.  And  when  this  had  taken  place,  he  proceed 
ed  directly  to  his -boat,  and  entering  it,  pushed  for  the  opposite 
shore,  plying  his  oars  with  a  sort  of  nervous  and  spiteful  energy, 
as  if  impelled  by  the  commingling  feelings  of  chagrin  and  re 
venge,  that  were  working  within  him  at  the  thoughts  of  his  defeat, 
and  the  consciousness  that  he  had  disgraced  himself  forever  in  the 
eyes  of  the  girl,  as  well  as  exposed  himself  to  the  contempt  and 
abhorrence  of  her  deliverer. 

"  Fool  !  fool  !"  he  angrily  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  urged  his 
skiff  through  the  waters,  which,  as  if  in  mockery  at  the  dark  tur 
moil  of  his  breast,  were  now  sparkling  in  cheerful  brightness  in  the 
rays  of  the  setting  sun ;  "  stupid  fool,  to  think  a  timid  girl 
would  listen  to  me  in  such  a  place  !  and  more  fool  still  to  manage 
so  blunderingly  as  to  alarm  her,  when,  if  I  had  begun  right,  I 
might  have  told  her  all,  or  at  least  found  out  whether  she  would 
have  made  it  to  my  advantage  to  do  it.  And  then  to  mend  the 
matter,  I  must  try,  in  my  eagerness,  to  stop  her !  which  brought 
down  that  cursed  interloper  upon  me,  as  if  the  old  boy  sent  him 
just  at  that  moment  to  make  an  affair  out  of  the  trifle !  I  wonder 
what  they  supposed  I  wanted  to  do  ? — that  is  plain,  however, 
what  they  thought ;  but  they  are  mistaken  :  Bill  Darrow  for  once 
is  accused  of  what  he  is  not  guilty !  ha !  ha !  aint  that  a  curiosity ! 
Well,  the  plan,  like  every  woman  plan  I  ever  laid,  is  all  blown  to 
the  devil  now,  I  suppose;  though  I  can  yet  bring  it  about  with  the 
old  man,  if  I  choose.  But  that  scoundrel,  d — n  him!  whoever  he 
may  be,  I'll  dog  him  to  the  death,  but  I'll  pay  him  for  his  rascally 
interference ! " 

While  thus  reasoning  and  raving  by  turns,  in  the  way  of  sooth 
ing  his  smarting  feelings,  he  had  nearly  reached  his  destined  land 
ing,  a  small  cove  about  a  furlong  north  of  the  fort,  when  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  a  man  standing  among  the  bushes  on  the 
shore,  apparently  awaiting  the  approach  of  the  boat. 

"  Ah  !  who  have  we  here  ?"  resumed  the  desperado,  as,  shading 
his  eyes  with  his  hand  from  the  blinding  rays  of  reflected  light  that 
fell  in  his  face,  he  threw  a  scrutinizing  glance  at  the  person  of  the 
other*;  u  why  !  can  it  be  ? — it  is — Jake  Sherwood  himself  !  What 


80  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

in  the  devil's  name  brought  him  here  just  at  this  time  ?  Ah !  my 
dear  fellow,  you  may  thank  your  good  stars,  and  evil  ones,  that 
you  are  not  by  this  time  pretty  devilishly  well  dished  !  But  can 
he  have  mistrusted  my  good  will  ?  No,  no  \— the  secret  is  still  my 
own,  and  for  the  present  shall  remain  so,  as  my  best  stock  in  trada 
Yet  what  can  he  want  with  me?  Some  Beelzebub  errand  to  be 
done,  I'll  warrant  me  1  Well,  he  shall  pay  roundly  for  doing  it, 
besides  shelling  out  something  more  than  promises  on  the  old  score, 
or  I'll  yet  put  him  in  a  spot  he  will  little  relish,  I  am  thinking." 

"Well,  Darrow,"  said  Sherwood,  as  the  former  now  reached 
the  shore,  and,  pulling  up  his  boat,  mounted  the  bank;  "sporting 
a  little  over  yonder  this  afternoon,  eh  ?  What  luck  ?  None  < 
Well,  that  is  the  way  sometimes.  But  come,  take  a  seat  on  this 
old  log  here,  in  the  bushes.  I  should  like  a  little  talk  with  you; 
so  lay  aside  that  grim  scowl  of  yours,  and  be  sociable  once,  if  you 
can." 

"  Sociable!  hum  !  I  should  like  to  know  who  in  hell  could  feel 
sociable,  or  wear  a  decent  face,  while  his  conscience  is  loaded 
down  with  such  soul-damning  secrets  as  these  of  yours." 

"  My  secrets !    ha!   ha!— as  if  they  were  not  yours,  too !  " 

"  And  they  may  be  somebody's  else,  too,  unless  you  mend  yout 
manners,  and  show  yourself  a  little  more  liberal  than  you  have 
been  lately,  Jake  Sherwood.  But  what  brings  you  here  now,  and 
what  would  you  have  with  me  ?  " 

"  Oh,  nothing  very  special — nothing  of  any  great  consequence" — • 

"  Nothing  very  special,  hey  '(  When  did  Jake  Sherwood,  or  hig 
father  before  him,  ever  call  on  Bill  Darrow  without  a  special  ob 
ject,  I  should  like  to  know  \  " 

"  Well,  well,  supposing  I  have  an  errand,  what  then?— what  is 
there  so  out  of  the  way  in  that,  you  surly  one?  " 

"Why,  nothing  out  of  the  way,  but  exactly  in  the  way,  as  I 
said.  But  what  is  the  use  of  puttering  with  your  round  about 
moonshine  ? — out  with  it !  " 

"  Darrow,"  said  the  other,  after  glancing  about  him  as  if  to 
make  sure  that  there  was  no  one  within  hearing ;  "  there  are  sev 
eral  of  the  York  outlaws  prowling  about  Otter  Creek.  We  came' 
near  seizing  them  a  few  days  ago  at  Lake  Dunmore,  though  they 
escaped  us,  and  that  was  not  all — but  no  matter — they,  day  before 
yesterday,  went  down  the  Creek  to  the  Lower  Falls,  and  took,  and 
laid  waste  Colonel  Reed's  plantation  there.  And  their  leader, 
one  Warrington,  with  part  of  his  gang,  has  since  moved  off  some 
where  in  this  direction.  Now  there  is  a  reward  of  about  two 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  81 

hundred  crowns  to  be  had  for  taking  this  fellow.  I  have  had  my 
eye  on  him  some  time,  and  now  I  have  some  particular  reasons  for 
wishing  him  secured." 

"  What  a  kind  of  a  looking  fellow  is  he  ?  "  asked  Darrow,  with 
considerable  interest.  Do  you  know  him  by  sight  ?  " 

"  Yes — a  tall,  square  built,  and  rather  good  looking  fellow — 
that  is,  he  might  appear  so  to  one  who  did  not  know  him  for  a 
scoundrel." 

"  The  same,  by  heavens!  "  exclaimed  Darrow,  after  musing  a 
moment.  Yes,  he  must  be  the  very  fellow  I  saw  not  two  hours 
igo,  as  I  was  skirting  along  Captain  Hendee's  clearing  over  yon 
der.  He  was  walking  with  a  woman  near  the  woods." 

"  How!  what  woman  ? — not  Aliua  Hcndee  ?  " 

"Can't  say." 

"No,  no,  it  must  have  been  the  maid — and  yet — but  confound 
the  audacious  scoundrel,  how  came  he  there,  and  so  soon  ac 
quainted  with  either  maid  or  mistress,  unless  my  suspicions  are 
right  2 " 

"All  that  you  can  answer  as  well  as  I — though  come  to  think 
more  about  the  woman's  make  and  gear,  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  don't 
believe  that  it  was  the  old  man's  daughter." 

"Fire  and  furies!  it  must  be  so." 

4 '  Why,  what  are  you  so  wrathy  about  ?  "  said  Darrow,  with  a 
malicious  smile.  "  You  are  not  afraid  the  fellow  will  run  away 
with  your  girl,  are  you,  Jake  ?  " 

' '  My  girl !  who  told  you  so  ?  Not  mine,  unless  I  please,  I 
would  have  you  to  know !  No,  no,  sir,  no  fear  of  this  poltroon 
in  that.  But  still  I  can't  exactly  comprehend  the  movement.  If 
he  was  reconnoitering  with  a  view  to  ousting  the  old  man,  would 
he  be  walking  out  so  familiarly  with  his  daughter  ?  It  don't  look 
like  it — no,  it  means  something  else,  which  must  the  sooner  be 
seen  to.  And  thanks  to  the  rascal's  boldness,  he  has  put  his  fate 
in  my  power  quicker  than  I  expected." 

"  How — in  what  way  ?  " 

"  Why,,  don't  you  see,  Bill  ?''  said  Sherwood,  turning  with  a 
familiar  and  coaxing  air  to  the  minion,  "  don't  you  see  how  easily 
he  can  be  entrapped,  if  he  remains  at  Hendee's  to-night,  or  re 
peats  his  visit  ?" 

"Ay,  but  how  would  you  manage  the  business  ? " 

"  You  are  a  sergeant — take  a  file  of  men,  go  over,  surround  the 
house  and  take  him.  Your  superior  won't  object." 

"  But  how  am  I  to  know  when  he  is  to  be  found  there  ?  " 


83  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"1  will  go  over  myself,  recormoiter  as  soon  as  dark,  without 
showing  myself  to  alarm  him,  and  if  I  find  the  game  be  there,  I 
will  make  a  torch  signal  at  the  landing.  You  must  keep  watch, 
and  as  soon  as  you  see  the  light,  come  over  with  your  men.  If 
he  is  not  there  to-night,  he  will  be  soon ;  Alma  Hendee  is  not  a 
girl  to  be  once  seen  and  draw  no  second  visit.  Yes,  by  the  pow 
ers  of  darkness,  I  have  him  at  last !  But  supposing  he  does  not 
come  into  this  trap,  he  certainly  is  prowling  somewhere  near; 
and  you  can  prowl,  too,  Bill.  And — at  the  last  pinch — you  are 
a  good  rifle  shot,  I  think,  Darrow  ? " 

"Ha!  ha!  out  at  last,  then!  I  thought  it  would  finally  come 
to  that.  Jake  Sherwood,  you  are  a  book  that  I  can  read  by  look 
ing  on  the  cover." 

"  Then  you  know  what  I  would  have  you  do." 

"Yes,  but  where  would  be  the  reward  in  that  case  ?  The 
Yorkers  don't  pay  for  heads  that  have  been  bored,  do  they  !  " 

"The  governor's  proclamation  don't  say  delivered  alive,  but 
only  delivered.  But  whatever  question  there  might  be  about 
that  in  some  cases,  there  shall  be  no  failure  in  this.  I  have  in 
fluence  enough  at  head-quarters  to  see  that  your  bill  is  footed  if 
you  bring  this  about,  in  any  shape," 

"And  you  will  do  it  ?" 

"Upon  honor." 

"Upon  interest,  you  mean." 

"  Upon  both,  if  you  please." 

"That  will  do,  and  for  this  d n'd  good  reason — if  the  se» 

curity  is  weak,  I  know  of  that  which  can  easily  be  made  to  en 
force  the  bargain.  Jake  Sherwood,  I  am  your  num." 

"  Now  that  looks  like  a  cheerful  good  will,  without  your  usual 
drawback  of  grumbling.  Well,  we  understand  each  other,  do 
we?" 

"Hum!  a  d n'd  sight  too  well,  Jake!" 

"  Why,  we  part  friends,  don't  we  ?  " 

"Yes,  and  it  rests  with  you  whether  we  remain  so.  But  I 
must  be  back  to  the  fort.  And  as  it  is  getting  dusk,  you  go 
directly  over,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Soon — but  you  understand  that  we  are  to  try  to  cage  him  at 
Hendee's  first.  Remember  to  look  out  for  the  signal !  " 

"Ay,  ay  " 

'-Yes,  my  suspicions  were  right  about  him  and  the  girl,"  solil 
oquized  the  plotting  agent,  after  the  departure  of  his  reckless 
minion.  "  But  never  mind,  I  have  put  the  bloodhound  on  the 


THE    QREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  83 

scent;  and  if  the  animal  don't  forget  his  own  nature,  in  addition 
to  putting  a  stop  to  this  business,  I  shall  soon  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  that  haughty  leader  of  these  savage  rebels  atone  for 
every  blow  which  he  caused  to  be  inflicted  on  me  at  that  accursed 
lake!  And  that  jeering  lieutenant  and  all  the  rest,  reward  or  no 
reward,  shall  have  their  turn  next.  And  then  their  executioner, 
if  I  can  contrive  to  make  the  hated  scoundrel  such,  must  be 
made  in  some  shape  to  follow  them.  Perhaps,  however,  he  may 
l>e  disposed  of  in  the  war  said  to  be  brewing.  At  all  events,  he 
is  too  dangerous  a  fellow  to  my  interests  to  be  suffered  to  remain 
here  long,  to  say  nothing  of  the  insults  which  I  am  compelled  to 
bear,  and  seem  to  take  in  good  part,  from  his  devil's  tongue.  I 
wonder,  though,  what  made  him  undertake  this  dangerous  busi 
ness  so  readily  ? — the  reward,  I  suppose ; — well,  let  him  have 
it,  revenge  is  dearer  to  me  than  money.  But  perhaps  I  can  con 
trive  to  get  both — if  I  could  but  manage,  after  securing  this 
renegade  Captain  to  make  Darrow  and  some  of  the  rest  mutual 
executioners — ha !  that  would  be  glorious !  But  of  that  hereafter, 
now  for  the  first  object." 

So  saying,  and  partially  arousing  himself  from  his  reverie,  he 
proceeded  along  the  shore  a  few  rods  to  a  point  where  he  had 
left  his  skiff,  and,  entering  it,  began  to  pull  slowly  for  the  resi 
dence,  on  the  opposite  shore,  already  described,  to  which  we  will 
next  take  the  reader,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  some  new 
characters,  and  making  the  place  the  future  scene  of  a  large 
portion  of  the  incidents  to  follow. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


"  I  prythee,  daughter,  do  not  make  ine  mad.' 


IT  was  on  the  second  evening  after  the  incidents  related  in  the 
two  preceding  chapters  occurred,  that  an  elderly  gentleman  sat 
at  the  door  of  the  pleasantly  situated  cottage  before  described, 
quietly  indulging  in  the  habit-made  luxury  of  puffing  the  Indian 
weed,  as,  enjoying  the  bland  breezes  of  the  evening,  he  calmly 
looked  out  upon  the  broad  expanse  of  the  lake,  and  the  diversi- 


84  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

fied  objects  of  the  landscape  around,  over  which  the  shades  ot 
night  were  now  rapidly  gathering.  Now  his  eyelids  would  droop 
and  his  head  sink,  slightly,  towards  his  breast,  under  the  sedative 
influence  of  the  narcotic  fumes  he  was  imbibing,  aided  by  the 
ceaseless  croakings  of  the  frogs,  whose  evening  choruses  rose 
from  the  marshy  shores  of  the  lake  in  drowsy  monotony  on  the 
ear.  And  now  lie  would  partially  arouse,  and  his  eye  won  1.1 
light  up,  for  an  instant,  with  returning  consciousness,  as  his  ear 
caught  the  new  note  of  some  bird  of  passage  just  returned  from 
his  hibernal  flight  to  the  warm  south,  and  now  for  the  first  time 
heard,  marking  the  progress  of  the  season.  The  man  might 
have  been  sixty,  though  his  appearance  indicated  a  greater  num 
ber  of  years;  for  his  head  was  nearly  white  Avith  the  frosts  that 
the  fatigues  and  privations  of  the  camp,  in  which  the  vigor  of  his 
manhood  had  been  spent,  had  prematurely  sprinkled  on  his  head. 
And  yet,  his  erect  figure,  and  keenly  flashing  eye,  as  his  attention 
became  aroused  to  objects  around  him,  betokened  a  spirit  still 
unbroken,  and  intellects  still  unimpared,  in  despite  of  a  shattered 
constitution,  and  the  ravages  which  hardships  and  time  had 
depicted  on  his  thin  and  war-worn  visage.  Though  at  the  same 
time,  the  rapid  play  of  the  muscles  of  his  face,  and  the  combined 
expression  of  every  feature  of  his  countenance,  evidently  denoted 
that,  with  fine  sensibilities,  and  much  that  was  generous  and 
noble,  he  naturally  possessed  a  sanguine  temperament  and  a  fiery 
disposition,  which  his  growing  infirmities  had  rendered  still  more 
irascible.  And  such  indeed  was  the  case  with  Captain  Hendee, 
the  person  whose  appearance  we  have  been  endeavoring  to 
describe.  His  life  had  been  one  which  had  been  checkered  with 
no  ordinary  vicissitudes.  He  had  been  an  officer  in  the  colonial 
army,  and  out  in  most  of  that  fearful  struggle  with  the  French 
and  Indians,  that,  with  little  intermission,  spread  death  and  deso 
lation  through  all  the  borders  of  the  English  colonies  in  America 
from  1744  to  1760;  and  he  had  suffered  imprisonment,  sickness, 
and  all  but  death,  in  that  terrible  warfare.  He  had  also  known 
the  extremes  of  affluence  and  poverty  in  his  pecuniary  affairs, 
while  great  felicity,  and  uncommon  bereavements,  had  marked 
his  domestic  relations.  He  had  buried  two  wives,  each,  while 
she  was  spared  him,  the  charm  of  his  existence.  And,  to  add 
still  more  to  his  cup  of  sorrows,  a  darling  son,  who  had  been 
entrusted  to  tho  care  of  an  uncle  in  his  father's  absence,  soon 
unaccountably  disappeared,  having  been  abducted  and  murdered, 
it  was  supposed,  by  some  lurking  band  of  Indians.  One  dmigh- 


THE    OEEEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  85 

ter,  the  child  of  his  last  wife,  was  now  all  that  remained  to  him 
to  smooth  the  pillow  ef  age,  and  prop  his  declining  years.  And 
well  did  that  beloved  and  truly  lovely  daughter  fulfil  the  filial 
trust  thus  imposed.  Aware  of  her  parent's  infirmities,  as  well 
of  temper  as  of  body,  she  became  the  gentle  soother  of  the  one, 
and  the  watchful  nurse  of  the  other.  And  ever  manifesting  the 
most  affectionate  solicitude  for  his  welfare  and  always,  assiduously 
attentive  to  his  slightest  wants  and  wishes,  while  readily  over 
looking  the  harshness,  which  in  his  fits  of  petulance,  he  occasion 
ally  showed  her,  and  which  she  generally  answered  only  with  a 
tear,  she  gained  over  him,  by  this,  and, the  super-added  influence 
of  his  affection  for  her,  and  his  sense  of  dependence  on  her  for 
happiness,  a  control  for  his  good,  that  the  whole  world  united 
would  have  failed  in  attempting  to  obtain. 

A  discreet  and  demure  maiden  of  about  thirty,  an  old  servant, 
who  lived  with  them  in  more  prosperous  days,  still  remained  with 
them,  and  with  one  more  person,  scarcely  less  regarded,  com 
pleted  all  the  permanent  members  of  the  family.  That  other 
person  was  no  other  than  Neshobee,  the  young  Indian,  with  whom 
the  reader  has  already  had  a  partial  acquaintance,  without  having 
been  before  apprised,  however,  we  believe,  of  his  residence.  He 
was  one  of  Captain  Hendee's  trophies  of  war,  having  been  cap 
tured  in  an  onset  on  an  Indian  lodge,  to  which  a  band  of  mur 
derers  had  been  traced,  after  one  of  their  massacres  on  the  fron 
tier  settlement.  The  Indians  being  taken  wholly  by  surprise,  and 
nearly  all  slain  by  the  first  fire,  this  lad  was  found  burrowed  un 
hurt  in  a  pile  of  dry  leaves  in  one  of  their  haunts,  and  secured 
by  the  victors;  when  the  Captain  declared,  with  a  sort  of  melan 
choly  jest,  that  as  the  hell-hounds,  a  year  or  two  before,  had 
deprived  him  of  a  son  of  about  the  same  age,  he  would  for  once 
follow  their  custom  of  supplying  the  place  of  the  slain  by  adopt 
ing  one  captured  from  the  enemy.  And  accordingly  he  took  the 
boy,  then  six  or  eight  years  old,  back  with  him  to  his  post,  and 
finally  to  his  family,  with  whom  the  captive  had  ever  since  re 
sided. 

The  domicile  of  this  strikingly  contrasted  family  was  a  common 
cottage,  constructed  after  the  fashion  of  the  better  sort  of  houses 
in  the  settlement,  of  hewn  timber,  so  exactly  squared  and  laid 
together,  in  the  present  instance,  as  to  make  smooth,  compact 
wnl's,  neatly  whitewashed  without,  and  tightly  ceiled  with  boards 
within.  The  interior,  which  was  divided  into  two  princip;il 
rooms,  parlor  and  kitchen,  with  a  range  of  bedrooms  and  other 


66  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

small  apartments  abreast,  exhibited  an  odd  mingling  of  tne  relics 
of  refined  life,  with  the  crude  substitutes  for  furniture,  and  the 
various  articles  usually  found  in  the  houses  of  a  border  settle 
ment.  On  the  high  mantle-piece  of  the  best  room  stood  the  wide 
spreading  antlers  of  some  noble  buck,  the  tips  of  the  various 
branches  being  ornamented  with  curious  sea-shells,  the  egg-shells 
of  rare  birds,  and  other  devices  of  the  tasteful  young  mistress  of 
the  establishment.  Rich  mahogany  chairs  were  cushioned  with 
the  feathered  skins  of  the  loon,  a  large  water-fowl  abounding  in 
our  northern  lakes,  and  remarkable  for  the  thickness  and  tenacity 
of  its  skin,  as  well  as  for  the  downy  softness  of  its  feathers.  A 
light  stand,  of  exquisite  workmanship,  was  supplied  with  a  curi 
ously  beaded  miniature  Indian  canoe  for  a  tray,  containing  a  pair 
of  small  clam-shells  for  snuffers.  On  wooden  pegs  in  the  wall 
were  suspended  the  remains  of  a  once  superb  mirror,  the  broken 
parts  of  which  were  artfully  concealed  by  festoons  of  the  creep 
ing  evergreen ;  while  on  one  side  a  small,  but  well  selected  as 
sortment  of  books,  arranged  on  broad  shelves,  completed  the  list 
of  all  the  prominent  articles  by  which  the  room  was  furnished. 
The  furniture  of  the  kitchen  was  mostly  of  the  roughest  kind 
and  the  whole  room  abounded  with  evidences  of  the  woodman's 
life,  the  walls  and  ceiling  above  being  hung  with  implements  of 
hunting,  furs,  pieces  of  drying  venison,  and  other  trophies  of  the 
chase,  taken  by  Neshobee,  the  young  Esau,  or  red  Niinrod,  if  the 
reader  please,  of  the  family. 

"  Come,  father,"  said  Miss  Hendee,  with  a  look  of  affectionate 
solicitude,  as,  rolling  up  her  needle-work,  she  rose  from  her  seat 
by  his  side:  u had  you  not  better  take  a  seat  within;  I  fear  you 
are  exposing  yourself  too  much  to  the  night  air  to  expect  quiet 
from  your  rheumatic  shoulders  to-morrow." 

"No,  Alma,"  replied  the  old  gentleman,  knocking  the  ashes 
from  his  pipe,  "  I  know  just  what  I  can  bear;  old  Fahrenheit 
himself  could  not  make  an  instrument  that  would  indicate  the 
state  of  the  air,  whether  hot  or  cold,  dry  or  humid,  more  exactly 
than  these  sensitive  fluids  in  ray  old  shattered  frame.  No,  the 
atmosphere  is  peculiarly  soft  and  warm  this  evening.  I  think 
old  Boreas  has  nearly  lost  his  claws  for  this  season.  I  just  heard 
a  whippoorwill,  or  muckawis,  as  the  Indians  call  it,  which  they 
say  never  appears  here  in  the  spring  till  winter  has  got  so  fai 
towards  the  big  ice-pond  on  his  return  to  the  north,  that  he  will 
no  more  come  back." 

"  I  knew  it  was  very  mild  to-night,  father,  but  I  thought,  per« 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  87 

haps,  you  were  not  uwarc  how  late  you  were  remaining  in  the 
open  air,  since  you  appeared  so  deeply  engaged  in  cogitation." 

"True,  girl,  I  have  been  thinking  over  matters  a  little." 

"  What  matters,  father,  may  I  know  ?  " 

"Yes,"  replied  the  other,  now  rising  and  following  his  daugh 
ter  into  the  room  we  first  described,  "yes,  Alma,  you  shall  know, 
for  you  are,  yourself,  one  of  the  parties  concerned." 

"I,  father?  " 

"Yes,  you  are,  girl;  but  in  the  first  place  let  me  ask  you,  if 
you  did  not  think  your  cousin  Sherwood's  manner,  in  his  visit 
last  night,  rather  singular  ?  " 

"I  might  have  thought  so,  perhaps— in  what  respect  did  you 
imagine  his  manner  was  singular,  however  ?  " 

"  In  several — what  was  it  that  he  seemed  to  be  hinting  about 
so  mysteriously  ?  And  did  he  not  have  the  air  of  one  who  is 
secretly  suspicious  of  something  !  " 

"  Does  my  father,"  replied  the  other,  evading  a  direct  answer, 
"does my  father  think  that  anything  very  singular  in  Mr.  Sher 
wood  ?  " 

"Why — why" — said  the  Captain,  surprised  and  staggered  at 
the  question:  "Why,  yes,  I  had  hoped  so;  for  these  secretly 
suspecting  characters  I  dislike,  Alma,  you  know.  Confound 
them,  yes  I  detest  them !  " 

"And  I,  rejoined  the  girl,  with  a  smile,  in  which  the  jocose 
and  serious  were  significantly  blended,  "  I  am  too  much  my  father's 
daughter,  I  confess,  to  think  otherwise,  myself." 

"  Why !  what  ?  how  ?  "  hastily  exclaimed  the  Captain,  puzzled 
and  uneasy  at  the  remark  of  the  other.  "  Why,  what  on  earth 
can  this  all  mean.  No  rupture  brewing  between  you  and  Jake, 
is  there  ?  " 

"  Not  that  lam  aware  of,  as  far  as  there  are  any  ties  to  sever — 
or,  at  least,  none  that  I,  as  yet,  have  been  the  just  cause  of, 
though  "— 

"Though  .what  ?  "  sharply  demanded  the  father,  with  increas 
ing  irritation:  "  Zounds!  you  don't  think  the  fellow  is  trying  to 
claw  off,  do  you  ?  Curse  the  hollow-hearted — humph,  what  was 
I  going  to  say  ?  " 

"Nothing  but  the  truth,  father,  I  presume,"  answered  Alma, 
looking  up  with  a  faint  smile,  and  a  sort  of  cool  desperation  in 
her  manner. 

"Yes,  I  was,"  quickly  rejoined  the  other,  hitching  about  in  his 
"  Blast  it!  girl,  why  didn't  you  tell  me  I  lied  ?  " 


88  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

"What,  tell  my  father  he  lied !  "  said  the  girl,  rouguishly :  "  no, 
no!  that  would  have  been  the  worst  of  manners." 

"  Yes,  yes, "  pettishly  returned  the  Captain,  "but  why  don't 
you  stand  up  for  him.  I  don't  like  this  don't  care  a  jig  sort  of 
way  you  have  about  the  business.  Hang  me  if  I  don't  believe 
you  are  the  one,  after  all,  who  wishes  to  be  off  ? " 

"  And  would  you  object  to  my  trying  to  get  the  start  of  him  !  " 
again  evasively  replied  the  girl,  "if  I  believed  he  was  intending 
to  desert  me  ?  " 

"  Why,  no," — answered  the  other,  "  not  that  I  know  of;  no, 
that  would  be,  perhaps,  a  decent  finesse,  if  that  was  the  case, 
but  it  is  not.  Then  what  is  all  this  bothering  and  teasing  me 
for  \ " — he  continued,  in  a  vexed  and  expostulating  tone ;  this 
supposing  things  that  are  not  so  ?  You  will  work  me  up  to  a 
fever;  make  me  mad,  march  mad,  without  letting  rne  know 
which  of  you  to  be  mad  at.  'Tis  provoking,  insufferable,  girl ! 
Why  not  tell  me  in  your  usual  direct,  off-hand  way,  at  once,  how 
the  matter  stands  between  you  and  Jake  ? " 

"Father,"  said  Alma,  seriously,  "I  most  certainly  would  tell 
you,  if  I  knew  myself." 

' 4  Well,  if  that  don't  cap  the  whole,  now !  "  said  the  Captain, 
eyeing  his  daughter  with  an  incredulous  and  somewhat  contempt 
uous  expression,  "  a  courted  girl  know  nothing  of  her  own  court 
ship!  your  caged  squirrel,  that  hangs  in  the  kitchen,  yonder, 
knows  nothing  of  nuts,  does  he  ?  " 

"Now,  father,  you  wrong  me,"  said  the  other,  a  little  piqued 
at  the  taunt,  and.  now  perceiving  the  necessity  of  being  more 
explicit  on  a  subject  which  she  felt  reluctant  to  discuss,  lest  she 
should,  by  such  frankness  as  she  could  wish  to  use,  displease  her 
sensitive  parent.  "Mr.  Sherwood  once  certainly  made  me  pro 
posals  ;  and  I,  knowing  how  much  you  had  the  project  at  heart, 
acquiesced,  or  rather,  I  did  not  reject  him ;  since  that  time,  he 
has  not  often  reminded  me  of  the  subject.  His  own  affairs  he 
keeps  to  himself;  and  a  few  silly  compliments  on  his  part,  com 
pletes  the  whole  story  of  what  you  call  our  courtship." 

"Beggarly  account!"  muttered  the  Captain,  with  an  air  of 
disappointment ;  ' '  beggarly  account  as  the  fellow  says  in  the 
play;  cold  business  this,  for  a  love  affair,  or  I  am  no  judge,  I'll 
be  shot  if  I  am!  Bat,  zounds!  "  he  continued,  again  kindling 
up,  "  Why,  I  thought  it  v/as  all  a  settled  business!  And  it  was 
•Htled— and  would  be  now,  if  your  powers  of  winning  wer« 


TUE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  89 

exerted  to  hare  it  so!  What  will  become  of  us  the  Lord  only 
knows,  if  this  fulls  through." 

"  Oh,  I  would  borrow  no  trouble  on  that  score,  sir,"  observed 
Alma. 

"But  T  shall  though  "—rejoined  the  other.  "The  truth  is, 
Alnia,  we  are  poor — poor  as  Job,  when  the  devil  had  done  his 
damnedest!  We  owe  Jake's  father — which,  as  he  is  sole  heir, 
is  the  same  as  Jake  himself, — for  nearly  all  we  have.  If  my 
little  Edward  could  have  been  spared  me — but  the  noble  boy  is 
gone;  and  that  family  have  been  the  vortex  in  which  all  my 
property  and  expectations  have  been  swallowed  up:  I  do  not  say 
that  the  property  went  wrongfully ;  but  it  went.  Even  before 
Jake  came  here,  I  had  thought  of  the  possibility,  that  you  might 
become  the  channel  by  which  this  property  would  be  diverted 
back  again  into  my  family.  And  when  he  made  proposals  to 
you,  and  I  understood  you  accepted  them,  I  confess  I  was  grati 
fied.  It  gladdened  my  old  desolate  and  despairing  heart  with  the 
thought  that  it  would  ensure  my  comfort  in  my  decrepit  and  help 
less  old  age,  while  it  would  give  you  the  home  and  wealth  which 
I  never  could  furnish  you  ;  and  now  to  have  the  only  bright  streak 
I  have  seen  for  years  in  my  dark  future,  suddenly  blotted  out — 
to  have  the  only  pleasant  cup  that  has  been  presented  to  me  for 
so  long,  thus  dashed  from  my  very  lips  ! — And  by  whose  hand  ?" 
ho  added  with  startling  fierceness,  as,  trembling  with  rising 
passion,  he  shook  his  clenched  fist  before  the  face  of  his  un 
offending  daughter.  "By  whose  hand,  I  say?  Girl,  girl,  if  I 
really  thought " — 

"I  will  marry  him,  father,"  replied  the  girl,  bursting  into  tears, 
which  were  drawn  forth  more,  however,  by  the  picture  he  had 
drawn  of  his  hopes  and  sorrows,  than  by  his  menaces;  Oh,  I 
will — I  will  marry  him,  for  your  sake,  dear  father,  if  it  breaks  my 
heart!" 

' v  Hang  it !  no,  you  shan't !  "  exclaimed  the  excitable  old  man, 
touched  to  the  quick  at  the  sight  of  his  daughter's  tears,  and  his 
whole  feelings  undergoing  a  revulsion  as  sudden  as  rose  the  tem 
pest  of  his  passion ;  "  no,  you  shan't !  Brand  me  for  a  brute,  if 
you  shall !  No — no — no  "  he  repeated,  till  his  increasing  emo 
tion  fairly  choked  his  utterance,  and  he  could  articulate  no  more. 

The  tide  of  passion  having  risen  to  its  height,  was  now  left  to 
subside  in  the  pause  that  followed. 

"Let  us  now  dismiss  this  painful  subject  from  our  thoughts," 
at  length  said  the  daughter,  the  first  to  recover  her  composure, 


90  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

"  and  dc  not  let  the  matter  further  disturb  your  feelings,  my  dear 
and  generous-hearted  father:  For  whatever  be  the  final  result; 
rest  assured,  that  I  will  never  marry  without  your  full  consent." 

''Dutiful — noble  girl!"  sobbed  the  old  man,  dashing  away  a 
tear;  "God  has  left  me  a  consolation  in  you,  my  dear  daughter, 
which  I  ought  to  be  thankful  for,  and  which,  but  for  my  accursed 
temper,  I  should  repay  with  better  treatment." 

"  Oh,  do  not  name  it,  father,  do  not  name  it,"  replied  the 
daughter  with  a  sweet  and  cheering  smile ;  "  if  we  should  go  upon 
faults,  I  may  have  scores  of  them,  any  of  which,  perhaps,  would 
outweigh  the  solitary  one  you  tax  yourself  with." 

Miss  Hendee  had  never  before  ventured  so  far  in  manifesting  a 
disposition  to  thwart  the  known  feelings  and  wishes  of  her 
irritable  father.  But  her  late  accidental  interview  with  War- 
rington,  whom  she  never  expected  again  to  see,  had  forced  upon 
her  mind  a  comparison  between  her  two  lovers,  which  made  her 
more  painfully  sensible  than  ever  how  much  she  must  sacrifice  in 
becoming  the  wife  of  Sherwood,  whose  true  character,  as  deeply 
veiled  as  he  had  endeavoured  to  keep  it  with  this  family,  she  had 
in  some  measure  penetrated,  and  she  could  not  forego  this  oppor 
tunity  of  letting  her  father  see  how  heavy  upon  her  heart  hung  the 
chain  that  she  was  wearing  only  out  of  regard  to  his  happiness ; 
and  yet  scarcely  more  now  than  before,  did  she  meditate  on  throw 
ing  off  this  chain,  by  which  she  had  passively  suffered  herself  to 
be  bound.  But  determining  to  defer  any  consummation,  which 
might,  for  the  present,  be  urged  upon  her,  she  suffered  herself  only 
to  hope  the  event  of  circumstances  more  auspicious  for  reconciling 
the  now  conflicting  duties,  which  she  owed  herself,  and,  with  all 
his  faults,  her  still  loved  parent. 

After  the  conversation  just  detailed,  the  parties  soon  repaired  to 
the  kitchen,  where,  in  his  great  arm-chair  before  the  cheerful  fire, 
the  Captain  was  accustomed  to  spend  his  evenings,  sometimes 
listening  to  the  silver-toned  voice  of  his  daughter,  as  she  sung 
some  favorite  song,  or  read  some  favorite  author,  and  sometimes 
recounted  the  thrilling  incidents  that  had  marked  his  adventures 
while  battling  the  subtle  foe  of  the  wilderness.  One  of  his  most 
attentive  auditors,  when  engaged  in  the  latter  employment,  was 
Neshobee,  with  whom  the  veteran  also  often  amused  himself  in 
conversation,  either  imparting  information  to  the  native,  or  listen 
ing  to  the  shrewd  and  original  remarks  made  by  the  latter  in 
answer  to  the  various  questions  by  which  he  was  purposely  interro 
gated.  Perceiving  now,  however,  that  the  place  of  this  almost 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  LOTS.  91 

necessary  adjunct  to  his  happiness  was  vacant,  the  Captain  imme 
diately  inquired  of  Ruth,  the  servant-maid  before  mentioned,  if 
she  knew  whither  the  Indian  had  gone. 

"  He  is  out  in  the  field,  Captain,"  replied  the  person  addressed, 
with  some  signs  of  uneasiness  in  her  looks,  "  and  I  wonder  what 
strange  thing  he  sees  or  hears  to-night,  that  makes  him  act  so  odd 
ly  ?  I  have  been  out  and  called  to  him,  but  he  paid  no  attention 
to  me,  and  kept  on  his  pranks,  sometimes  listening  with  his  car 
to  the  ground,  and  then  dodging  or  crawling  from  one  stump  to 
another." 

"Aha?  "  said  the  Captain,  with  a  look  of  interest;  "  those  are 
generally  pranks  that  mean  something  with  an  Indian.  I  wonder 
who  can  be  prowling  about  us  now  ?  " 

"Mercy!"  exclaimed  Ruth  in  alarm;  "if  it  should  be  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys !  " — 

"  The  worst  would  be  their  own,  I  think,"  coolly  observed  the 
Captain ;  u  that  is  if  they  come  to  show  us  such  play  as  it  is  said 
they  have  shown  some  on  Otter  Creek." 

"  What  would  you  do  father,  in  case  they  should  come  on  such 
an  errand  ?  "  asked  Alma,  with  an  air  of  mingled  curiosity  and 
concern. 

"What  would  I  do,  child?  Why,  I  would  put  a  rifle  bullet 
through  the  first  one  who  should  attempt  to  enter,  even  if  it 
should  be  Warrington  himself.  Besure,  I  know  but  little  of  this 
cursed  dispute  about  titles.  They  may  have  as  much  right  to 
lands  that  they  have  bought,  and  first  improved,  as  the  Yorkers, 
for  aught  that  I  know;  and  I  was  never  for  hanging  them  for 
fighting  in  such  a  case.  But  here — why  zounds!  do  you  think 
when  I  have  got  the  first  possession,  and  done  so  much  upon  the 
place,  that  I  am  going  to  give  it  up  to  the  greedy  dogs  ?  No !  not 
if  their  great  devil  and  all  generalissimo,  Ethan  Allen,  should 
come  on  with  all  his  forces,  would  I  give  it  up  without  a  fight ! 
IIoo!  they  shall  have  my  heart's  blood  first!  " 

"I  trust  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  bloodshed  any  where, 
father,"  rejoined  the  daughter  quite  composedly;  "I  have  reason 
to — that  is,  I  do  not  believe  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  will  make 
the  least  attempt  to  molest  us." 

"Well — well,  girl,"  said  the  Captain,  scanning  the  other  closely, 
and  at  first  with  rather  a  puzzled  air,  which  soon,  however,  gave 
way  to  a  look  of  approbation ;  "  I  must  say  that  does  not  seem 
much  like  borrowing  trouble,  as  most  of  you  women  do  in  such 
cases,  However,  I  have  been  taught  by  the  Indians,  and  some- 


93  TRti    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

times  ha  ic  paid  dear  for  my  schooling  too,  that  this  borrowing 
trouble  is  not  always  so  bad  a  thing  after  all ;  as  it  generally  keeps 
us  well  guarded  against  a  surprise.  But  here  comes  our  scout ;  so 
let  us  hear  his  report.  Well,  Neshobee,  they  say  you  are  scouting 
to-night— what  is  in  the  wind?" 

"Me  hark  urn,  but  no  tell  um,"  replied  the  Indian,  quietly 
taking  his  place  by  the  fire. 

The  dog  in  the  yard  now  gave  one  of  those  faint,  indecisive 
sort  of  yelps  usual  with  the  animal  when  doubtful  whether  he 
has  heard  something  that  should  require  his  notice. 

"  Beagle  thinks  pretty  much  as  you  do,  Neshobee,"  said  the 
Captain,  comprehending  the  tone  of  the  dog :  "  butjiark ! "  he  ad 
ded,  as  the  animal  barked  again,  and  in  a  more  decided  manner ; 
"  I  can't  read  that  so  easily.  What  do  you  make  of  it,  boy  ?" 

"  Beagsay  that  no  four-foot  coming,  Cappen,"  said  the  natire, 
unconcernedly. 

"  Is  the  rifle  well  loaded,  Neshobee  ?  "  asked  the  Captain, 
glancing  at  the  fire-arms  suspended  by  hooks  on  the  wall. 

"  Yas!" 

"And  the  fowling-piece  ?  " 

"  Me  spose  urn," 

"*'  Very  well,  down  with  them, -then!  Alma,  step  and  bring  me 
my  pistols!  and  in  the  mean  time  we  will  bar  the  door — Ruth, 
lend  a  hand!  If  these  fellows,"  continued  the  Captain,  coolly  as 
sisting  to  execute  the  several  commands  he  had  so  rapidly  given  to 
his  household — "if  these  fellows  had  any  honest  errand,  they 
would  come  up  to  the  house  at  once  like  men,  instead  of  skulking 
around  at  a  distance,  as  they  evidently  are.  We  may  as  well  be 
prepared  for  them." 

"  Father,"  said  Alma,  returning  with  the  required  pistols,  and 
now  manifesting  the  most  lively  concern.  "  Father,  I  do  beg  of 
you  not  to  think  of  firing  on  any  one  rashly — ascertain  what  they 
want,  at  all  events.  Your  apprehensions,  I  think,  are  wholly 
groundless — I  cannot  think — indeed  I  am  very  sure  "- 

A  gentle  rap,  rap,  rap!  on  the  outside  of  the  door  caused 
the  speaker  suddenly  to  suspend.  All  now  stood  hushed  in 
•ilence,  till  the  rapping  was  repeated,  in  several  louder  and  more 
distinct  knocks. 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BQ7&  9* 


CHAPTER  X. 


"  Bnt  who  was  he,  that  on  his  hunting  spear 
Lean'd  with  a  prouder  and  more  fiery  bearing  ? 
His  was  a  brow  for  tyrant  hearts"  to  fear, 
Within  the  shadow  of  its  dark  locks  wearing 
That  which  they  may  not  tame— a  soul  declaring 
War  against  earth's  oppressors." 


*'  HALLO,  there !  "  called  out  Captain  Hendee,  in  no  very  gentle 
tones,  as  he  cocked  his  pistols,  and  threw  himself  into  an  attitude 
of  defence.  "  Hallo!  who  comes  ?  " 

"  No  enemy,  to  say  the  least,"  answered  the  voice  without. 

"Let  him  in,  father,  do  let  him  in!"  said  Miss  Hendee  in  a 
low  beseeching  tone. 

"  What,  without  giving  his  name!  "  said  the  Captain.  "  Why 
child,  I  don't  know  that  voice  from  Adam's!  No,  no,  friend  or 
foe,  he  shall  undergo  that  ceremony." 

"Well,  father,  you  can  just  ask  him,  without  being  so  rough, 
can't  yon  ?  "  interposed  the  daughter,  in  an  earnest  half  whisper, 
quietly  placing  her  hand  on  the  arm  of  the  other. 

"  Friend,"  said  Captain  Hendee,  softening  down  at  the  entrea 
ties  of  his  daughter,  and  as  it  occurred  to  him  that  the  tones  of 
the  voice  he  had  just  heard  were  entirely  of  a  pacific  character: 
"  friend,  will  you  favor  us  with  your  name  ?  " 
1  "Captain  Hendee."  said  the  man,  seeming  to  hesitate  about 
complying.  "lam  wholly  unattended,  your  dog  here  seems  to 
acknowledge  my  acquaintance,  and  if  you  will  not  do  the  same, 
when  I  am  admitted,"  he  added  in  rather  a  jocose  tone,  "I  will 
agree  to  depart  as  peaceably  as  I  came." 

"Humph!  me  know  that  man  talk!  Him  no  bad  I  "  said  the 
Indian,  with  a  low  chuckle. 

The  Captain,  now,  evidently  a  little  chagrined  at  the  suspicions 
he  had  entertained,  and  the  parade  he  had  made,  immediately 
drew  out  the  bar,  and  opened  the  door;  when  the  visitor  entered, 
but  quickly  paused,  after  entering  the  threshold,  to  receive  the 
•crutinizinglook  of  the  other. 

"What!  no — yes,  'tis!"  exclaimed  Hendee,    between  perplex- 


94  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

ity  and  surprise,  after  looking  a  few  seconds  into  the  face  of  the 
new-comer.  "Well,  now,  by  the  great  Jupiter!  if  I  am  not 
absolutely  ashamed  of  myself!  Mr.  Howard!"  he  continued, 
advancing,  and  cordially  shaking  the  other  by  the  hand,  "Mr. 
Howard,  God  bless  you,  sir,  how  do  you  do  ?  Apologies  by  the 
dozen  are  yours! — or  should  be,  if  such  moon-shine  concerns 
were  ever  worth  offering.  But  walk  in,  walk  in,  sir.  Here  are 
my  family — all  together  now — they  were  not  when  you  saw  us, 
I  think.  Alma  you  are  acquainted  with — Miss  Ruth,  this  is 
Mr.  Howard.  And  here  is  another,  Neshobee,  we  call  him,  a 
native,  as  you  perceive,  but  for  all  that  an  adopted  member  of 
our  family." 

Miss  Hendee,  though  much  embarrassed  at  this  meeting,  in 
spite  of  all  her  attempts  to  appear  composed,  managed  neverthe 
less,  to  exchange  the  customary  salutations  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  conceal  her  embarrassment  from  all  except  her  lover;  between 
whom  and  herself  it  seemed  to  be  tacitly  understood  that  they 
should  meet  each  other  as  for  the  first  time,  without  making  the 
slightest  allusion  to  their  late  interview.  There  was  another  of 
the  family  group  also,  that  came  in  for  his  share  of  surprise,  at 
least,  at  some  of  the  circumstances  attending  this  meeting.  And 
that  was  the  Indian.  Not  expecting  to  see  Warrington  here  till 
he  heard  his  voice  at  the  door,  and  never  dreaming  till  this 
moment,  but  that  the  latter  and  his  master's  family  were  entire 
strangers,  the  poor  fellow,  when  he  saw  them  meet  as  old  acquain 
tances,  and,  above  all,  when  he  heard  Captain  Hendee  address  the 
other  by  the  name  of  Howard,  looked  perfectly  confounded,  and 
expressed  as  much  unfeigned  astonishment  as  an  Indian  counte 
nance,  perhaps,  ever  exhibited.  The  instinctive  prudence  of  his 
jTace,  however,  prevented  him  from  betraying,  by  words,  his 
suprise  and  perplexity,  or  exposing  Warrington  in  the  disguise 
which  he  supposed  was  for  for  some  good  reasons  assumed. 

"Well,  Mr.  Howard,"  resumed  the  Captain,  after  the  usual 
salutations  were  over,  "  I  am  right  happy  to  renew  my  acquain 
tance  with  you,  and  have  the  opportunity  to  express  personally, 
my  obligations  to  you  for  your  many  kindnesses  to  us  at  the  time 
of  my  accident  on  the  road.  You  probably  thought  our  departure 
rather  abrupt  on  your  return.  But  you  received  my  note,  did  you 
not  ? " 

"  No,  sir,  neither  note  nor  message." 

"What!  then  that  old  heedless  poodle  of  a  landlady  forgot  it, 
or  more  probably  lost  it,  and  to  mend  the  matter,  thought  she 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  95 

would  conceal  from  you  that  I  gave  her  one.  Well,  well,  you 
must  have  thought  us  rather  singular  beings,  as  well  for  that  as 
for  some  other  things  you  perhaps  noticed  in  us.  For  I  remem 
ber,  we  kept  you  pretty  much  in  the  dark  about  our  affairs.  The 
fact  was,  Mr.  Howard,  and  I  care  not  now  who  knows  it,  that  I 
was  then  under  the  apprehension  of  being  pursued  and  taken 
back  by  creditors,  before  I  could  reach  my  connections  in  Albany, 
where  I  expected  to  obtain  the  means  of  satisfying  them,  as  I  did 
before  making  this  purchase." 

' '  You  did  not  return  then  ?  " 

"No  !  When  I  arrived  there,  finding  that  sales  were  making 
in  these  lands,  I  concluded  on  a  life  in  the  woods — made  a  pur 
chase — came  on  here  the  first  season  with  hired  men,  and  then 
sent  for  Alma  from  Albany,  and  the  rest  of  the  family  and  goods 
from  Connecticut." 

"  And  what  directed  you  particularly  to  this  location  ?  " 

"  My  own  knowledge  of  the  country,  obtained  in  the  wars 
when  I  was  campaigning  with  Put  and  Rogers  along  the  borders 
of  this  then  bloody  lake.  I  remember  this  spot  well.  A  pitch 
had  been  made  here  by  some  Frenchmen,  who  cleared  up  several 
acres,  lived  here  a  few  years,  and  then  deserted  the  place.  This 
was  the  first  opening  made  this  side  of  the  Connecticut  river,  all 
the  rest  of  the  country  being,  at  the  time  I  first  saw  the  spot,  one 
Droad,  unbroken  wilderness.  Many  a  weary  march,  and  many  a 
cold,  wet  bed  have  I  had  on  these  dark  and  tangled  shores.  I 
nave  often  wondered  how  we  could  have  out-lived  such  hardships. 
With  the  constitution  and  spirits  I  then  possessed,  however,  I 
had  but  little  dread  of  the  woods,  or  the  red  imps  that  infested 
them.  But  my  days  of  fighting  are  now  over,  Mr.  Howard." 

"  Some,  in  my  situation,  with  these  evidences  around,  might 
feel  disposed  to  doubt  that,  Captain,"  smilingly  observed  War- 
rington,  motioning  to  the  fire-arms,  which  had  not  been  yet 
replaced. 

"Ah,  you  have  me  there,"  gaily  responded  the  other;  "but 
honestly,  we  were  expecting  visits  of  a  different  character.  If 
those  rough  dealing  devils,  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  had  beset 
us,  instead  of  our  peaceable  old  friend,  Dr.  Hunter,  there  is  no 
telling  but  even  so  broken  down  an  old  Trojan,  as  I  am,  might 
have  shown  some  fight  on  the  occasion." 

"  Perhaps,  sir/'  replied  the  guest  in  the  same  spirit ;  "  I  should 
tender  my  condolence  at  your  disappointment  in  not  being 
allowed  the  chance  to  exercise  your  old_vocatiou." 


B6  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

"  Not  a  whit,  not  a  whit,  sir:  For  I  should  extremely  regret 
to  be  forced  into  a  quarrel  with  my  countrymen  in  defence  of 
what  I  consider  my  rightful  possessions.  And  I  hope  it  may 
never  be  the  case.  But  we  have  had  some  reason  to  believe 
otherwise  within  a  day  or  two  past.  A  friend  apprised  me,  that 
a  band  of  these  fellows  was  abroad,  and  probably  on  their  way  to 
this  part  of  the  lake  shore  ;  and  our  two  scouts  here,  Neshobee 
and  Beagle,  having  successively  made  their  reports  in  their  re 
spective  fashions,  to-night,  that  there  were  skulkers  in  the  bush 
I,  for  one,  began  really  to  expect  that  we  had  got  to  do  battle 
for  our  home.  Alina  here,  however,  I  am  half  ashamed  to  own, 
was  less  apprehensive,  and  bore  herself  more  coolly  than  any  of 
the  garrison,  not  excepting  the  old  soldier  of  forty  battles  at 
their  head !  Hang  me !  if  I  don't  believe  the  girl,  like  old  Fal- 
staff,  knew  by  instinct  who  was  coming!  Come,  child,  now  be 
honest,  was  it  not  so  ?  " 

But  Alma,  whose  head  suddenly  dropped  at  the  remark,  and 
whose  fair  cheek  glowed  like  the  fire  before  which  she  was 
eitting,  was  quite  too  busy  with  her  pretty  fingers  in  tumbling 
over  the  contents  of  her  work-basket  for  a  thimble,  or  some  other 
article,  that  became  just  at  that  moment  unaccountably  missing, 
to  heed  the  question,  or  think  of  answering  it.  Even  Warring- 
ton  appeared  to  be  a  little  discomposed  at  this  close,  though  ran 
dom  shot  of  the  old  Captain;  but  he  did  not  forget  to  throw  & 
glance  of  gratitude  towards  his  fair  friend  for  the  confidence, 
which  the  Captain's  statement  seemed  to  imply  that  she  had 
placed  in  his  assurances  at  their  late  interview. 

Captain  Henclee,  without  seeming  to  notice  the  sensation  which 
his  last  remarks,  intended  only  for  a  passing  joke,  produced  on 
some  of  his  auditors,  at  length  resumed  : 

"  You  wandered  round  the  borders  of  the  woods  some  time 
before  you  found  us,  I  conclude,  sir,  from  the  noises  that  Nesho- 
bee  heard  previous  to  your  arrival  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no,  sir,  I  came  direct,  and  without  stopping." 

"  I  don't  see,  then,  but  we  have  as  much  reason  now,  as  before, 
to  expect  a  visit  from  the  enemy  to-night,"  musingly  observed 
the  Captain. 

"  Me  guess  um  what  I  hear  no  Mountain  Boys,"  said  Neshobee, 
looking  significantly  at  Warrington,  as  if  he  considered  the  lat 
ter  to  have  the  most  interest  in  the  information  thus  imparted. 

Neither  the  remark  of  the  Indian,  nor  the  meaning  look  that 
accompanied  it,  was  lost  on^Warrington,  as  was  evident  from  the 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  97 

expression  of  uneasiness  that,  for  an  instant,  became  visible  on 
his  countenance ;  but  he  remained  silent. 

"Which  way  did  you  come,  Mr.  Howard?"  resumed  the 
Captain;  "I  believe  you  have  not  told  us,  nor,  indeed,  how  you 
became  apprised  of  our  present  residence  ?  " 

Warrington,  catching  a  forbidding  glance  from  Miss  Hendee, 
was  hesitating,  on  her  account  as  well  as  his  own,  what  answer 
he  should  frame  to  the  embarrassing  question,  when  he  was 
suddenly  relieved  from  his  dilemma  by  a  bold,  heavy  rap  at  the 
door. 

Captain  Hendee,  feeling  more  assured  this  time  from  the  re 
inforcement  received  in  his  friend  Howard,  who,  as  usual,  had 
his  rifie  with  him,  immediately  rose,  and,  with  but  a  slight  hesita 
tion,  opened  the  door;  when  he  suddenly  paused,  and  stood  a 
moment  gazing  in  mute  surprise  at  the  figure  before  him.  Soon 
recovering,  however,  he,  in  a  sort  of  hesitating  and  doubtful  tone, 
invited  the  man  to  enter. 

Acknowledging  the  proffered  courtesy  with  a  stately  bow,  the 
stranger  advanced,  with  a  bold,  free  step  and  a  fearless  air,  into 
the  middle  of  the  room,  where  he  paused,  and  bowed  slightly  to 
each  of  the  assembled  group,  most  of  whom,  however,  were  too 
much  surprised  and  over-awed  at  the  singular  and  formidable 
appearance  of  the  man  to  return  his  salutations.  And,  indeed, 
his  appearance  was  of  so  unique  and  striking  a  character  as  well 
to  warrant  the  sensation  which  his  presence  seemed  to  produce. 
Of  an  uncommon  height,  and  with  an  extraordinary  breadth  of 
chest,  supplied  with  large  brawny  limbs,  his  whole  frame  consti 
tuted  a  figure  of  the  most  Heiculean  cast ;  while  his  large,  darkly 
bright  eyes,  and  the  air  of  intelligence  that  marked  the  general 
expression  of  his  coarse,  lion-like  features,  gave  evidence  that 
his  intellectual  powers  were  not,  as  frequently  occurs  in  such 
instances,  wholly  incommensurate  with  his  physical  proportions. 
A  modern  phrenologist,  indeed,  while  comparing  his  high  and 
remarkably  expansive  forehead,  with  the  vast  volume  which 
composed  the  back  part  of  his  head,  might  be  much  puzzled  to 
decide  whether  his  intellectual  or  animal  nature  would  most  pre 
dominate  in  his  character.  His  dress,  which  was  likewise  some 
what  singular  for  the  times,  consisted  of  high,  heavy  boots,  buff 
breeches  and  doublet,  with  a  high  collared,  white  shag  coat  of 
the  frock  kind,  all  of  which  was  surmounted  by  a  fine,  though 
much  worn  beaver,  slouched,  except  the  front  part,  which  was 
turned  up  so  as  to  give  an  additional  boldness  to  his  large  fea- 


98  THE    GKE2JV    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

tures,  and  to  impart  somewhat  of  a  bandit  aspect  to  his  appear 
ance.  This,  to  ordinary  observation,  completed  his  outward 
equipment ;  though  a  closer  inspection  might  have  revealed  the 
shape  of  a  stout  pistol  swelling  the  smooth  and  snugly  setting 
leather  over  each  of  his  breeches  pockets,  while  the  buck-horn 
handle  of  a  large  war-knife  might  occasionally  be  seen  protrud 
ing  from  its  sheath  attached  to  the  side  lining  of  his  coat. 

Placing  the  heavy  rifle  which  he  bore  in  his  hand  in  a  corner, 
the  stranger  now  advanced,  and,  with  an  air  of  easy  unconcern, 
seated  himself  by  the  side  of  his  host,  in  the  family  circle  round 
the  fire. 

"My  name  is  Hendee,"  at  length  said  the  Captain,  evidently 
not  wholly  at  ease  in  the  presence  of  his  bold  and  fearful  looking 
visitor,  "my  name  is  Hendee,  and  being  no  great  stickler  for 
ceremony,  I  hope  I  shall  be  excused,  sir,  in  saying  that  it  always 
affords  me  pleasure  to  know  by  what  name  I  may  address  my 
guests." 

"That's  right!"  bluntly  commenced  the  stranger  in  reply, 
"  and  you  got  at  it  ingeniously  too,  by  George  !  " 

"  I  meant  no  offence,  sir." 

"  O,  no,  but  let  me  see — it  is  now  May,  is  it  not  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  then,  for  the  month  of  May,  my  name  is  Smith." 

"  Sir  ? — did  I  rightly  understand  you,  sir  ?  " 

1 '  I  presume  so — I  said  Smith,  because  there  are  more  of  that 
name  than  any  other." 

"Yes,  sir,  but  what  follows  from  that  ?  " 

"Why,  of  course,  sir,  that  you  stand  a  better  chance  to  get  my 
right  name ;  men  will  lie  like  the  devil,  sometimes,  you  know !  " 

"Really,  sir?"  said  the  Captain,  his  eyes  beginning  to  shoot 
fi.'e  at  this  apparently  intended  insult,  "really,  sir,  I  cannot  un 
derstand  your  drift,  if  you  do  not  mean  to  offer  us  an  affront." 

"Ha!  ha!  ha!"  roared  the  stranger,  in  a  voice  that  shook 
the  house,  "well,  now,  if  that  aint  a  good  one!  ha!  ha!  ha! 
Why,  no,  friend,"  he  continued,  familiarly  turning  towards  the 
ether,  and  giving  him  a  rough  slap  on  the  shoulder,  "no,  no, 
friend;  but  you  just  said  you  was  no  great  stickler  for  ceremony 
— no  aint  I,  as  you  see.  So  let  us  be  honest,  and  live  up  to  our 
professions." 

"Agreed  to  that.  And  yet — "  rejoined  the  Captain,  perfectly 
at  a  loss  what  to  make  of  his  strange  guest,  and  though  still 
vexed,  yet  now  half  ashamed  of  the  feelinghe  had  shown — "and 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  90 

yet,  sir,  I  have  met,  in  the  course  of  my  life,  but  with  few  honest 
men  who  were  afraid  to  tell  their  names." 

"  Why,  the  truth  is,"  replied  the  other,  with  an  air  of  much 
seriousness,  "  that  you  are  all  such  quarrelsome  curses,  down 
here  in  the  Grants,  that  a  stranger,  like  myself,  can't  safely  travel 
among  you  by  any  other  name  than  Smith,  if  he  had  one.  As 
to  myself,  I  don't  exactly  know,  in  the  strictly  legal  sense  of  the 
thing,  that  I  have  any  name — to  speak  of,  except  Smith ;  for  I  still 
stick  to  Smith,  mind  ye — that  is,  for  the  month  of  May." 

"  Well,  well,  have  it  as  you  will,  man,"  observed  Hendee,  now 
softening  down,  and  beginning  to  be  amused  in  spite  of  himself  at 
the  blunt  drollery  of  the  other.  ' '  But  I  must  say  you  are  the 
greatest  oddity  I  have  met  with  for  many  a  day." 

"  That  may  be,  friend,"  said  the  stranger,  his  countenance 
assuming  the  cast  of  sincerity;  "  but  as  you,  like  a  wise  man,  havo 
concluded  not  to  be  offended  at  nonsense,  let  us  talk  sense  a  little : 
Captain  Hendee,  a  man  of  your  intelligence  and  observation  can 
not  but  have  long  since  noticed  the  quarrel  that  has  been  brewing 
between  us  colonists,  and  the  mother  country  ?  " 

"I  have,  sir  ;  and  with  the  most  painful  regret,"  was  the 
guarded  reply. 

"And  those  Bostonians  and  Virginians,  who  have  taken  the  lead 
in  the  resistance  to  the  King's  authority,"  resumed  the  stranger, 
again  assuming  an  equivocal  look,  and  fixing  his  eyes  keenly  on 
the  countenance  of  the  other,  ' '  those  fellows  are  a  set  of  Christ- 
less  knaves,  for  their  rebellion,  you  agree  ?  " 

"Knaves!  How  so,  sir?"  replied  the  Captain,  hastily,  and 
with  a  look  that  betrayed  more  of  his  feelings  than  lie  intended 
should  have  been  revealed  to  a  stranger,  and  especially  to  one 
who  apparently  entertained  sentiments  on  this  subject  so  differ 
ent  from  those  which  he  had  long  privately  cherished. 

"  Aha!"  eagerly  exclaimed  the  stranger,  with  evident  delight, 
"sits  the  wind  in  that  quarter,  really  and  truly?  Well,  I  am 
not  disappointed  in  you,  after  all,  thank  God  !  " 

"Yes,  but  you,  sir?" — said  the  Captain,  again  confounded  at 
the  seemingly  contradictory  language  and  manner  of  the  other, 
"  what  did  you  say  but  a  moment  since  ?  " 

"What  did  I  say?  O,  pooh!  that  is  nothing!  "  replied  the 
stranger.  "  But  again,  and  seriously,  Captain  Hendee  (for  I  am, 
now  satisfied  that  it  will  do  to  ask  you  the  question),  should 
matters  proceed  to  open  hostilities  in  an  attempt  to  burst  thes* 


100  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

accursed  fetters,  how  far  could  your  countenance  and  support 
be  depended  on  ?  " 

"Stranger,"  said  Captain  Hendee,  looking  the  other  full  in  the 
face,  "as  singular  a  man  as  you  appear,  you  nevertheless  have  an 
honest  countenance,  and  would  not,  I  think,  try,  in  my  own 
house,  to  lead  me  into  a  snare.  But  granting  that  your  senti 
ments  and  mine  coincide  on  this  subject,  what  could  you  ask,  or 
expect,  from  an  infirm  old  man,  whose  only  home  and  property 
lie  under  the  very  mouths  of  the  guns  of  Fort  Frederick  ?  "  * 

"I  see,  I  see!"  answered  the  stranger.  "But  it  may  be 
worth  much  to  us  to  know  that  your  heart  is  in  the  right  spot. 
For  the  times  are  coming  when  even  what  such  as  you  can  do, 
may  be  of  incalculable  importance  to  the  cause.  ' '  Indeed,  sir, "  he 
continued  with  increasing  earnestness,  and  with  deep  and  start 
ling  emphasis,  "  indeed,  sir,  those  times  are  already  at  the  door: 
Blood — American  blood  lias  been  shed  !  " 

4 '  Where  ?  where  ?  "  simultaneously  burst  from  the  lips  of  Hen- 
dee  and  Warrington. 

"At  Lexington,  resumed  the  stranger,  with  clenched  fist  and 
eye  of  fire.  ' '  Fifty  American  citizens  have  been  shot  down  like 
wild  cattle  by  a  foreign  soldiery  !  and  their  blood  has  gone  up  to 
the  great  God  in  cries  of  vengeance !  All  Massachusetts  are  in 
arms  ?  And  are  we  here  of  the  Green  Mountains  to  remain  idle  ?" 
lie  added,  with  a  look  and  a  tone  of  almost  frightful  energy;  "  by 
all  the  thrones  of  heaven  and  hell,  no,  no!  " 

"  Oh,  for  the  renovation  of  one  year  of  my  manhood's  vigor  !  " 
exclaimed  the  Captain,  springing  froin  his  chair,  and  hastily 
striding  round  the  room. 

"All  that  is  well  enough,  but  useless,  my  friend,"  observed 
the  stranger,  after  a  silence  among  the  company  of  a  few  mo 
ments,  in  which  he  seemed  to  have  brought  his  feelings  back  to 
their  usual  current:  "  so  instead  of  calling  on  Hercules,  like  the 
man  of  the  fable,  in  prayers  that  never  can  be  answered,  be 
thinking  what  you  can  do.  This  Indian,1'— he  continued,  in  an 
undertone,  approaching  close  to  the  Captain — "he  is  domesti 
cated  in  your  family  ?" 

"Yes,  brought  up  by  us,  mostly;  a  cunning,  prudent  and  faith 
ful  fellow,'  replied  the  Captain,  in  a  voice  too  low  to  be  heard, 
as  he  supposed,  by  the  rest  of  the  company. 

"  And  may  be  made  a  useful  friend  for  some  emergencies,  with 
your  permission,  Captain  ?  " 

*  The  fort  at  Crown  Point,  was  in  the  old  French  ware,  denominated  Fort 
Frederick. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNT  AI^-  JJOf'S.  101 


"  You  have  it,  that  is  for  ai^  occasional^  rcnijei,  ^sccutj,  or  ^the 
/ike  —  I  should  not  like  to  part  Witt  MiU  for  any  great  length  of 
time,  however." 

"  Here,  my  friend,"  said  the  stranger,  approaching  the  native, 
and  presenting  him  with  a  valuable  pocket  knife,  "will  you  take 
this  as  a  gift  to  remember  me  by  ?  Now  look  me  in  the  face." 

"Yas—  umph!  Ah,  him  good  —  one  very  good!"  said  the 
Indian,  quickly  pocketing  the  knife. 

"Now,  Captain,"  said  the  stranger,  putting  on  his  hat,  and 
giving  other  indications  of  his  intention  to  depart,  "  I  have  only 
to  say,  that  I  am  sorry  I  could  not  have  been  more  frank  with 
you  in  some  particulars;  but  circumstances  forbade  it.  Now  I 
must  be  off;  and  I  have  some  notion,"  he  continued,  looking  at 
Warrington,  "  of  inviting  your  guest  here  to  accompany  me  as  a 
guide." 

"Mr.  Howard  is  an  old  acquaintance,  sir,  just  called  after  a 
long  separation,  "  said  the  Captain.  "We  should  be  sorry  to 
part  with  him  so  soon." 

'  '  Mr.  Howard  will  remain  through  the  night  with  us,  surely  ?  " 
interposed  the  musical  voice  of  Miss  Hendee. 

The  stranger  gave  a  scrutinizing  look  at  the  father  and  daugh 
ter,  and  ended  by  exchanging  with  Warrington  looks  of  intel 
ligence,  which  very  clearly  showed  that  the  two  were  by  no 
means  strangers  to  each  other.  Seeming  to  satisfy  himself,  lie 
was  about  to  remark  further,  when  the  tramp  of  men,  now  heard 
approaching  the  door,  arrested  the  attention  of  the  company. 
The  rattling  of  guns  announced  them  to  be  armed  men,  among 
whose  voices  the  quick  ears  of  Miss  Hendee  recognized  that  of 
Darrow.  Instantly  rising,  she  hastily  invited  Warrington  to 
take  a  seat  in  the  other  room;  and  the  latter  complying,  th« 
lovers  disappeared  through  one  door,  just  as  the  new  comers 
entered  another. 


103  TUTS :   GKEEtt    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


*'  Ha !  here  comes  those  we  counted  not  on  meeting.1 


THE  company  whose  arrival  was  announced  at  the  close  of  the 
last  chapter,  proved  to  be  a  small  detachment  of  soldiers  from 
the  opposite  Fort.  They  were  seven  or  eight  in  number,  under 
the  command  of  their  sergeant,  Darrow,  who,  with  three  others, 
after  knocking,  though  scarcely  waiting  for  a  bidding,  uncere 
moniously  entered  the  kitchen,  the  remainder  of  the  force  having 
been  posted  at  the  doors  and  windows  without,  to  prevent  all 
escape  from  the  house.  As  an  ostensible  reason  for  calling  at 
this  time,  Darrow  carelessly  observed,  that  being  out  in  pursuit 
of  a  deserter,  a  part  of  their  company  had  gone  up  the  lake  with 
their  boat,  thus  depriving  them  of  the  means  of  recrossing,  and 
leaving  them  no  other  resort  but  to  crave  a  shelter  of  Captain 
Hendee  for  the  night,  or,  at  least,  till  their  boat  returned.  Calls 
of  this  kind  by  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  garrison  being  of 
no  very  unfrequent  occurrence  at  the  house,  the  present  visit, 
therefore,  occasioned  the  Captain  little  or  no  surprise,  and  being 
of  a  hospitable  turn,  and  fond,  as  might  be  supposed,  of  having 
those  for  company,  who  belonged  to  a  profession  in  which  a  great 
portion  of  his  own  life  had  been  spent,  he  appeared  to  feel  quite 
at  ease  with  his  new  guests.  Not  so,  however,  with  all  the  com 
pany  assembled.  The  meeting  between  the  soldiers,  and  the 
stout  stranger  before  described,  seemed  to  be  mutually  unexpect 
ed,  and  evidently  but  little  relished  by  the  latter.  For,  though 
they  were  all  personally  unknown  to  him,  yet  he  was  aware  that 
he  might  not  be  so  to  them ;  and  should  the  last  supposition  be 
true,  as,  from  certain  sly  looks  which  he  saw  exchanged  between 
the  soldiers,  he  thought  highly  probable,  he  was  sensible  that  he 
had  a  part  to  play  for  himself  and  Warrington,  of  whose  co-oper 
ation  he  felt  assured,  that  would  require  all  his  tact,  and  perhaps 
put  to  the  severest  test  the  powers  of  both  to  extricate  them  from 
the  threatened  difficulty. 

Nor  were  the  stranger's  suspicions  by  any  means  groundless, 


THE    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  10& 

Harrow  had  before  seen  the  man,  and  at  once  recognized  him  as 
one,  who,  if  taken,  would  prove  a  far  greater  prize  than  the  per 
son  whose  seizure  constituted  the  particular  object  of  the  present 
Visit :  but  one,  at  the  same  time,  well  known  to  be  the  most  for 
midable,  and  difficult  of  capture,  of  all  the  Green  Mountain  out- 


"That  ain't  the  fellow  we  came  for,"  whispered  Darrow  to  the 
soldier  nearest  him,  the  first  opportunity  that  occurred  for  so 
doing,  unobserved.  ' '  He  must  be  with  the  girl  in  the  other  room, 
I  think.  But  this  big  chap  is  one  of  the  same  kidney,  only  worth 
two  of  him,  if  taken ;  secure  him,  as  well  as  the  other,  and  your 
pay  shall  be  doubled.  So  keep  your  eyes  on  him  for  the  present, 
and  we  will  wait  till  they  go  to  bed,  and  get  to  sleep :  For  the 
other  is  no  baby  for  a  tussle;  and  this  one,"  he  continued,  with  a 
significant  look,  as  he  cast  a  fearful  glance  at  the  giant-like  per 
son  of  the  stranger;  "and  this  one,  to  say  nothing  of  the  ugly 
instruments  they  say  he  carries  under  his  clothes,  he  is — he's 
the  devil  and  all— he's  thunder!" 

This  information,  with  the  orders  accompanying  it,  being  soon 
passed  around  to  all  the  band,  every  movement  of  the  stranger 
was  regarded  with  the  most  suspicious  vigilance.  But  he,  con 
trary  to  their  expectation,  made  not  the  slightest  movement 
which  indicated  that  he  was  meditating  any  attempt  to  escape. 
On  the  contrary,  the  more  he  was  watched,  the  more  unconscious 
did  he  seem,  that  he  was  an  object  of  suspicion  or  vigilance  with 
acy  of  the  company ;  and  with  the  utmost  unconcern,  he  soon 
began  to  mingle  in  the  conversation,  commencing  with  those  blunt 
cordial  kind  of  advances  to  Darrow.  and  as  many  of  his  men  as 
he  could  find  excuse  for  addressing  individually,  which  are  gen 
erally  the  surest,  if  not  the  only  road  to  the  soldier's  heart.  Nor 
was  it  long  before  he  had  succeeded  in  putting  himself  on  a  fa 
miliar  footing  with  the  whole  band,  whose  feelings  and  senses,  in 
spite  of  the  distant  restraint,  and  guarded  watchfulness,  they  had 
imposed  on  themselves,  were  fairly  captivated  by  his  bold  sallies 
of  wit,  and  the  irresistible  drollery  of  his  manner.  Captain 
Hendee,  with  his  war  stories,  was  completely  thrown  into  the 
shade  by  the  extraordinary  convivial  powers  of  the  stranger 
Who,  having  now  fairly  become  the  hero  of  the  company,  con 
tinued  to  pour  forth,  from  his  seemingly  inexhaustible  resources, 
sally  upon  sally,  with  increasing  brilliancy,  and  anecdote  upon 
anecdote,  each  of  which  was  more  ludicrous  or  striking  than  the 
preceding  one,  till  the  whole  party  became  convulsed  with  inerri- 


104  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

ment,  and  the  house  shook  with  the  din  of  laughter.  And  now 
satisfied  with  the  success  that  had  so  well  crowned  his  efforts  in 
this  respect,  he  called  on  Captain  Hendee  to  bring  on  glasses, 
and  a  gallon  of  spirits  at  his  expense,  declaring  that,  "of  all 
God's  cattle,  he  preferred  soldiers  for  companions.  It  was  not 
every  day  that  a  hunter,  whose  next  door  neighbors  and  common 
acquaintances  were  bears  and  wolves,  and  whose  sweethearts  and 
select  friends  were  wolverines  and  catamounts,  had  the  rare  luck 
to  fall  into  such  glorious  company.  He  could  well  afford  to  treat 
and  he  should  hold  it  a  privilege  to  have  a  bout  with  his  military 
friends,  helping  them,  while  he  could  to  drink  health  to  the  King 
confusion  to  all  enemies,  and  shame  to  the  devil." 

"Leaving  this  bold,  sagacious,  and  singularly  gifted  outlaw  and 
his  companions  to  the  merriment  he  had  infused  into  them,  and 
the  boisterous  and  drunken  revelry  that  followed,  we  will  now 
repair  to  the  other  room,  where  a  far  different,  though  no  less 
interesting  scene  was  in  progress. 

When  Miss  Hendee,  on  recognizing  the  voice  of  Darrow, 
among  those  of  others  about  to  enter  the  house,  so  abruptly  in 
vited  Warrington  to  take  a  seat  with  her  in  the  other  room,  she 
did  so  from  a  sudden  impulse,  arising  out  of  her  secret  dread  oi 
encountering  one,  whose  recent  conduct  had  filled  her  with  the 
deepest  dislike,  coupled  with  a  sort  of  vague  apprehension  thai 
the  visits  of  these  soldiers,  with  Darrow  at  their  head,  at  this 
particular  time,  was  in  some  way  to  affect  tjie  safety  of  her  friend, 
whom  she  thought  thus  to  shield  from  the  impending  danger. 
And  it  was  not  till  they  became  seated  in  the  room  by  themselves, 
that  it  occurred  to  her,  that  she  had  voluntarily  afforded  her  lover 
the  very  opportunity  which,  at  their  recent  interview,  he  had 
earnestly  requested,  but  which  she  had  so  promptly  and  pointedly 
refused  him.  Blushing  deeply  at  the  thought  of  her  apparent 
inconsistency,  and  fearful  that  this  act  would  be  misconstrued  by 
the  other,  she  suddenly  commenced  uttering  an  apology  or  expla 
nation,  but  perceiving  some  worse  dilemma  from  so  doing,  she 
stopped  short  in  the  midst  of  a  sentence,  blushing  more  deeply 
than  at  first,  while  an  embarrassing  silence  ensued,  which  neither 
party,  for  some  moments,  was  able  to  break.  Warrington,  how 
ever,  comprehending  the  cause  of  her  embarrassment  at  a  glance, 
and  anxious  to  relieve  it,  soon  rallied,  and  observed : 

"Fear  not,  Miss  Hendee,  that  I  shall  misinterpret  this  act  of 
yours,  in  inviting  me  to  a  seat  with  you,  here ;  I  believe  I  can 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  10* 

appreciate  the  motives  that  led  to  it,  and  I  certainly  feel  very 
grateful  for  the  deed." 

"You  were  ever  generous,  Mr.  Howard,"  replied  Alma,  with 
a  grateful  smile,  "  but  do  you  comprehend  all  the  motives  that 
might  have  influenced  me  in  this  ? " 

"I  may  not  all,  but  will  Miss  Hendee  state  wherein  she  sup 
poses  I  may  not  understand  them  ?  " 

"  Did  you  recognize  any  of  the  voices  of  these  last  visitors, 
while  they  were  at  the  door,  or  have  you  since  ? " 

"lean  scarcely  say  I  have,  though  I  conclude  them  to  be 
soldiers  from  yonder  garrison." 

"  They  are — all  that  will  appear,  at  least,  I  presume,  and  among 
them  is  that  suspicious  fellow  from  whose  intrusion  you  so  kindly 
relieved  me  the  other  day.  He  went  away  at  that  time,  I  think, 
harboring  revengeful  feelings  towards  you,  and  does  not  thk 
visit  involve  some  design  against  your  safety  ? — Though  I  con 
fess  I  can  hardly  see  how  you  should  be  sought  here  with  anj 
purpose  of  revenge." 

"You  may  be  right,  Miss  Hendee,"  said  the  other,  thought 
fully,  after  a  silence  of  a  moment;  you  may  be  right  in  supposing 
me  the  object  of  this  visit.  I  have  hud  some  suspicions  from  the 
first  that  it  was  so ;  and  I  have  noticed  some  indications,  indeed, 
since  we  have  been  in  this  room,  which  go  to  confirm  me.  Yes, 
you  may  be  right  in  this,  but  wrong,  I  think,  in  judging  of  the 
motives  that  have  led  to  the  visit." 

"  What  other  motive  can  there  be  but  the  one  I  assigned  ?  "  at 
length  asked  Alma,  with  an  air  of  perplexity  mingled  with  some 
uneasiness. 

"Miss  Hendee, "  resumed  Warrington,  with  considerable  embar 
rassment  at  the  effort,  "  your  question  leads  me  to  a  declaration, 
which  my  painfully  conflicting  obligations  as  a  citizen,  and  as  a 
gentleman  who  has  received  much  kindness  from  your  family,  will 
be  some  excuse,  I  hope,  for  withholding  till  now ;  but  which  my 
feelings  will  allow  me  to  withhold  no  longer.  Miss  Hendee,  my 
name  is  not  Howard!  " 

"  Not  Howard ! "  exclaimed  Miss  Hendee,  with  a  look  of  un 
feigned  surprise.  "Not  Howard !"  she  repeated,  the  tall  arches 
of  her  beautiful  brows  slightly  contracting  with  an  incipient 
frown.  "  Surely,  surely,  sir!  " 

"Nor,  is  that,  I  fear  you  will  think,"  resumed  the  other  seri 
ously,  and  now  with  perfect  composure,  "the  worst  of  the  avowal: 
lam  aware  what  I  risk-— what,  indeed,  I  shall  probably  forever 


100  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

lose  in  your  esteem,  fair  lady.  But  duty  to  you,  and  respect  to 
my  own  character,  compels  me  to  disclose. — I  am  Charles  War- 
rington  !  " 

A  sharp,  inarticulate  exclamation  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  as 
tonished  and  recoiling  girl,  at  the  announcement  of  the  name. 

"  What  is  the  matter  there,  Alma  ? "  asked  Captain  Hendee,  in  a 
tone  modulated  somewhere  between  the  jocose  and  anxious,  as  l;e 
thrust  his  head  partly  through  the  door,  beside  which  he  was 
sitting,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  partition,  in  the  other  room, 
'  what  is  the  case  there,  girl  ? — Doctor  Hunter  is  not  pulling  a 
tooth  for  you,  is  he  ?  " 

Perceiving,  however,  nothing  but  dumb  shows  going  on  between 
the  parties,  and  satisfied  with  the  shot  he  had  given  them,  he  left 
them  to  another  embarrassing  silence,  which,  for  many  minutes, 
was  broken  by  neither. 

"  I  am  so  surprised  at  this  strange  and  unexpected  development/' 
at  length  observed  Miss  Hendee,  though  with  mind  and  feelings 
still  unsettled  and  balancing  between  the  former  high  opinion  she 
had  entertained  of  her  companion  as  Howard,  and  the  pre 
conceived  picture  of  the  ruffian-like  character  with  which  she  had 
been  accustomed  to  associate  Warrington  :  "so  surprised  that  I 
hardly  know  what  I  should  say,  or  how  I  should  act  towards  you, 
sir,  in  the  new  character  in  which  you  now  stand  before  me.  Am 
I  to  understand  that  our  quiet  home  here  is  now  to  be  made  the 
theatre  of  contention  in  a  dispute  for  a  possession  ?  " 

"Heaven  forbid  !"  replied  Warrington,  eagerly,  "you  have, 
Miss  Hendee,  my  pledge,  already  in  this  respect,  given  to  you  at 
our  last  interview — can  you  doubt  my  will  to  redeem  it?  And 
you  now  perceive  with  what  authority  I  could  make  the  assurance. 
But  though  you  can  have  no  apprehensions  of  this  kind  of  me,  or 
my  people,  for  whom  I  can  safely  answer,  yet  what  will  be  your 
opinion  of  one  who  made,  and  has  since  sought  your  acquaintance 
under  a  disguised  name  ?  It  is  that  which  troubles  me,  dear  ladv. 
And  in  that  you  have  an  apparent  right,  at  least,  to  condemn  me, 
though  not  acting  for  myself,  but  for  those  who  assigned  me  the 
part  in  which  disguise  was  deemed  necessary." 

"You  need  not  forestall  your  sentence,  sir,"  said  the  other, 
something  very  like  a  smile  again  lighting  up  her  sweetly  express 
ive  countenance,  "  I  know  too  little  of  the  merits  of  this  unhappy 
controversy,  I  freely  confess,  to  feel  sure  of  doing  justice  to  eithej 
party  in  any  opinion  I  might  now  express.  I  believe  I  can  still 
put  trust  in  you — at  least,  I  will  for  the  present  believe  so  r  For  it 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  lO1} 

would  indeed  be  humiliating  to  us  all,  to  find  ourselves 
so  much  mistaken  in  one  whose  character  we  had  so  high 
ly  estimated.  Yes,  in  you,"  she  repeated  with  emphasis, 
"but  in  your  party" — and  she  paused,  but  soon,  and  without 
finishing  the  sentence,  resumed,  "  can  you  inform  me  who  is  that 
fearful  looking,  and  singular  stranger  in  the  other  room? — or 
was  I  mistaken  in  judging  from  some  appearances  I  noticed,  that 
you  and  he  were  acquainted  ?  " 

"  Your  conjectures  were  true.  His  name,  however,  I  cannot 
disclose.  But  this  I  may  say,  that  he  is  not  all  that  he  may  have 
appeared  here  to-night;  and  yet  he  is  far  more — a  man  of  many 
high  and  noble  qualities,  combined  with  extraordinary  powers  of 
body  and  mind,  though  now  placed  here  in  circumstances  as  in 
auspicious  as  my  own.  These  circumstances,  as  they  will  make 
up  an  answer  to  the  question  you  asked  before  I  announced  my 
true  name,  I  will  now,  with  your  permission,  briefly  explain." 

His  fair  auditor  signifying  a  willingness,  at  least,  to  listen  tC 
the  explanation,  Warrington,  taking  a  comprehensive  glance  at 
the  true  grounds  of  the  controversy  between  the  settlers  and  thek 
opponents,  drew  a  vivid  picture  of  the  wrongs  and  consequent 
sufferings  which  the  former  had  endured,  and  which  led  to  the 
part  he  had  taken  in  tlieir  behalf — explained  the  necessity  of  the 
disguise  he  had  assumed,  related  his  subsequent  career,  and  the 
consequences  to  himself  and  all  those  who  had  taken  a  conspicu 
ous  part  in  attempting  to  defend  the  poor  settlers  against  the 
rapacity  of  their  oppressors. 

"Is  this,  Mr.  Howard— excuse  me,  Mr.  Warringtou,  I  should 
say,"  observed  the  other,  evidently  interested,  and  even  touched, 
by  the  recital  she  had  just  heard;  "is  this,  indeed,  an  impartial 
account  of  this  hapless  contest  ?  And  are  these  armed  men  here 
to  drag  you  to  prison,  and  an  ignominious  death,  for  acting  a  part 
like  this  ?  Why,  O,  why,  did  you  venture  here  into  the  very 
jaws  of  the  lion  ?  and  now,  why  do  you  a  moment  linger  ?  why 
not  escape  while  they  are  at  their  noisy  carousals  in  the  other 
room  ? — that  door — these  windows  " — 

"Have  all  been  guarded;  each  by  a  soldier  with  a  loaded 
musket,  from  the  moment  we  entered  this  room.  An  ear,  prac 
tised  in  the  forest,  has  not  failed  to  catch  the  sound  of  their 
cautious  and  stealthy  tread,  the  occasional  rubbing  of  their  mus 
kets  against  their  buttons,  and  indications  of  their  presence  and 
object  not  to  be  mistaken." 

"Oh!  I  do  wonder  how  you  can  be  so  calm.     What  hope— 


i08  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

what  resource  is  there  left  you,  in  which  you  can  now  trust  foi 
escape  ? " 

"  Many!  be  not  concerned.  They  probably  think  we  shall  re 
main  through  the  night,  and  will  deem  it  safest  to  defer  any 
attempt  to  seize  us  till  they  suppose  us  asleep.  I  trust  much  in 
iny  friend,  ever  fruitful  in  expedients,  and  now  acting  a  part  in 
the  other  room,  as  nigh  as  I  can  judge  from  what  occasionally 
reaches  my  ear,  with  reference  to  effecting  this  object.  Neshobee 
is  a  friend ;  and  may  I  not  hope  an  acquiescence,  at  least,  from 
you  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly  the  latter,  and  if  I  could — but  what  could  I 
do?" 

"Perhaps  nothing — perhaps  much.  We  must  act  on  circum 
stances.  But  had  we  now  not  better  part.  I  feel  anxious  to  be 
co-operating  with  my  friend,"  said  Warrington,  rising  and  mov 
ing  towards  the  door. 

"  One  moment  longer — that  is,  if  you  are  not  too  anxious  to 
go,"  observed  Alma,  motioning  him  to  remain. 

"What  would  my  fair  friend  say  ?  "  asked  the  other,  perceiving 
her  to  hesitate. 

"  Should  you  escape  this  danger,  as  I  hope  you  may,"  at  length 
replied  Alma,  "  I  trust — I  pray,  that  you  will  not  be  so  thought 
less  as  to  venture  here  again.  There  may  be  other  hazards  in 
repeating  your  visits  here,  besides  the  fearful  one  you  have  al 
ready  incurred  of  being  seized  in  behalf  of  the  public  authori 
ties." 

" Indeed!  but  in  what  way,  lady  ?" 

"  There  may  be  those,"  she  answered  with  evident  reluctance, 
and  with  severely  conflicting  feelings,  "who  would  look  on  your 
visits  here  with — with  suspicion;  and  who,  I  fear — who,  perhaps, 
I  would  say,  might  have  a  disposition — that  is,  he  may  "- 

"I  did  not  understand  the  name,'"  said  Warrington,  with  the 
appearance  of  wishing  to  relieve  the  embarassment  of  the  other, 
and  assist  her  to  proceed. 

"I  did  not  name  him,  and  I  would 'gladly  avoid  doing  so," 
replied  she,  still  hesitating. 

"But  of  what  avail  will  be  your  caution,  unless  I  know  against 
whom  to  be  on  my  guard  ?  "  asked  he,  with  a  little  spice  of  the 
lawyer  in  the  question,  he  being  more  anxious  to  learn  the  name 
of  his  unknown  rival,  to  whom  he  rightly  conjectured  she  allud 
ed,  than  concerned  on  account  of  any  danger  he  apprehended 
from  his  jealousy  or  malice. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  109 

"But  if  you  kept  entirely  away  ?— unless,  perhaps,  you 
ihoukl  be  sought  out  for  the  crimes  you  have  already  committed," 
said  the  girl,  half  playfully.  "  I  much  wish  you  could  have  re 
ceived  this  intimation  from  others,"  she  continued,  after  a  pause ; 
"but  as  you  might  not,  and  as  I  have  ventured,  perhaps,  unadvis 
edly,  to  give  it,  I  know  not  but  you  have  a  just  right  to  require 
the  name.  It  is  Sherwood — one  Jacob  Sherwood." 

"  Sherwood!  "  said  Warrington  in  utter  surprise,  "Sherwood, 
that  then  explains  several  things  that  to  me  were  mysteries. 
Sherwood!"  he  repeated,  musing,  and  speaking  as  if  to  himself, 
yes,  I  know  the  man,  and  the  heart  of  the  man.  But  is  it  pos 
sible,  with  Sherwood  for  a  rival,  and  Alma  Hendee  the  object, 
that  she  for  him  would  " — 

"Trespasser!  "  exclaimed  the  other,  shaking  her  head  with  a 
look  in  which  menace  and  roguishness  were  quietly  blended, 
"trespasser  beware!  " 

"Cruel!  cruel!  I  must  not  then  even  ask  if  there  is  hope, 
even  one  ray  of  hope,  in  the  future !  "  rejoined  Warrington;  with 
the  air  of  tender  reproach. 

"Oh,  how  can  you  ask" — replied  Alma,  her  countenance  now 
changing  to  a  serious,  even  a  sad  expression,  "how  can  you  ask, 
or  expect  this,  when  I  see  no  hope  for  myself  ?  And  how  can 
you  think  of  entering  into  a  discussion  so  useless,  at  such  a  mo 
ment  as  this  ?  Go,  go  \  " 

When  Warrington,  at  the  close  of  the  interview  above 
described,  entered  the  room  of  the  revellers,  he  found  them  at 
the  height  of  their  boisterous  carousals.  The  health  of  every 
known  potentate  on  the  earth,  and  some  under  it,  was  proposed 
and  drank,  by  the  huge  stranger,  now  the  undisputed  master  of 
the  ceremonies,  who  at  each  rapidly  succeeding  toast,  tossed  off 
his  glass  with  as  little  apparent  regard  to  its  effect  on  himself,  as 
if  the  beverage  had  been  water — such,  at  least,  was  there  every 
appearance  of  his  doing:  For  he  always  lifted  a  full  glass  to  his 
lips,  and  returned  it  empty  to  the  table,  while  he  made  this  his 
boast  on  urging  the  same  on  his  companians  of  the  revel,  all  of 
whom,  with  the  exception  of  Darrow,  seemed  little  disposed  to 
refuse  a  compliance.  The  latter,  however,  after  drinking  a  few 
stinted  glasses,  contrived  constantly  to  evade  a  repetition  which 
would  unfit  him  for  the  enterprise,  that  he,  at  least,  had  by  no 
means  lost  sight  of;  while  it  was  with  increasing  uneasiness  that 
he  perceived  the  fearful  inroads  which  the  liquor  was  making  on 
the  faculties  of  his  men.  This,  however,  might  not  have  alarmed 


110  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN-   BOYS. 

the  wary  sergeant,  had  both  of  his  intended  victims  been  in  the 
same  condition:  Since  so  long  as  they  drank  as  freely  as  the 
rest,  the  difficulty  of  their  seizure,  he  knew,  would  be  diminished 
in  the  same  proportion  with  the  powers  of  the  men,  upon  whom 
he  depended  for  its  accomplishment.  But  Warrington,  he  soon 
noticed,  though  mingling  gaily  with  the  rest  at  the  board,  seemed; 
inclined,  like  himself,  to  drink  but  lightly,  making  the  excuse 
when  urged  to  take  more,  that  he  wished  to  keep  sober,  in  orde* 
to  take  care  of  his  brother  hunter,  who  seemed  in  a  fair  way  to 
require  his  assistaance.  And  the  appearance  of  the  stranger,  \ 
indeed,  soon  well  confirmed  the  truth  of  the  observation.  His 
wit  fast  grew  vapid ;  and  some  of  his  remarks  were  so  silly,  that 
none  but  the  very  drunkest  of  the  soldiers  would  join  him  in  the 
maudlin  roar  of  laughter,  which  he  raised  at  each  of  his  efforts 
to  be  witty.  He  began  to  sway  to  and  fro,  and  his  huge  frame 
to  totter  at  every  step,  like  a  sapped  tower  about  to  fall  to  the 
earth — all  of  which  was  observed  by  Darrow  with  a  look  of 
malicious  satisfaction. 

Warrington  now  proposed  that  the  company  should  break  up, 
and  all  retire  for  the  night.  This  proposal  was  seconded,  though 
from  far  different  motives,  by  both  the  Captain  and  Darrow.  A 
question,  however,  now  arose  in  regard  to  the  accommodations 
which  could  be  furnished  for  sleeping ;  the  Captain  stated  that 
he  had  but  two  spare  beds,  which  might  be  made  to  answer  for 
four  of  the  company.  He  should  have  been  extremely  happy  to 
be  able  to  accommodate  all  his  guests  with  beds ;  but  as  it  was, 
they  must  agree  among  themselves  who  should  occupy  those  he 
could  furnish.  The  sergeant  immediately  proposed,  that  War 
rington,  and  his  drunken  friend  should  take  one  of  the  beds,  and 
himself  and  one  of  his  men  would  occupy  the  other,  while  the 
rest  should  seek  lodgings  in  the  barn.  At  this  moment,  the 
drunken  outlaw,  roused  from  the  stupor,  into  which  he  seemed  to 
have  fallen  during  the  discussion,  so  far  as  to  appear  conscious 
of  the  point  of  debate,  and  hiccuping  at  every  word,  swore  with 
a  big  oath,  that  his  military  friends  should  have  the  best — they 
should  have  both  the  beds,  or  he  would  fight  them  like  h — 1. 
And  that  other  scurvy  hunter,  who  was  not  man  enough  to  drink 
like  a  gentleman,  should  go  to  the  barn  with  him,  and  sleep  on 
the  hay,  or  he  wonld  fight  him  too,  and  be  d — d  to  him." 

To  this,  Darrow,  for  some  reasons  of  his  own,  strenuously  ob 
jected,  and  the  debate  was  growing  warm,  when  Miss  Hendee 
entered  the  room,  and  after  asking  the  cause  of  their  dispute  an^ 


THE  GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  Ill 

looking  a  moment  with  an  air  of  disgust  at  the  now  helpless 
stranger,  earnestly  begged  of  her  father  to  let  the  creature  have 
his  way,  and  by  no  means  suffer  him  to  occupy  a  bed  in  the  house. 

"I  think,  Captain  Hendee,"  remarked  Warrington,  now  for 
the  first  time  offering  an  opinion,  "  that  the  man's  notions,  as  bad 
off  as  he  appears  to  be,  are  correct.  He  will  probably  keep  the 
house  in  an  uproar  half  the  night,  if  he  remains.  It  is  more  suit 
able,  I  think,  that  he  should  be  taken  to  the  barn.  And  it  is  my 
duty,  I  suppose,  to  attend  him." 

"  I  by  no  means  intended  to  exclude  you  in  my  prohibition, 
sir,"  said  Alma,  addressing  Warrington. 

u  Oh,  no,  certainly  not,  I  presume.  But  I  think  I  ought  to  go 
with  him,"  rejoined  "Warrington.  "And  a  bed  of  hay,"  he 
added  gaily,  "is  far  better  than  has  sometimes  fallen  to  my 
lot." 

"Hoy!  there,  Cap — Cap — Capting  I  "  stammered  out  the 
stranger,  lifting  his  head,  though  nearly  falling  out  of  his  chair 
at  the  effort;  "say,  you  Cap — Capting  Handy,  Hindy — dev — 
divil  knows  what,  take  good  care — care  my  rifle — cost  ten 

pounds — king's  lawful  cur — cur — curren — cyation, — God  d n 

—bless  him!" 

"  And  of  mine  too,  captain,  if  you  will.  We  will  leave  them 
in  the  house  till  morning,  with  your  permission,"  observed  War^ 
rington,  exchanging  a  significant  glance  with  Miss  Hendee. 

Darrow,  who  till  now  had  manifested  a  determination  that  our 
two  outlaws  should  remain  in  the  house  with  him,  on  hearing- 
that  the  valuable  rifles  were  to  be  left  behind,  seemed  no  longer 
to  entertain  any  suspicion  of  the  arrangement  last  proposed,  and 
conceded  the  point  without  further  objection. 

Captain  Hendee  then  ordered  Neshobee  to  take  the  rifles  into 
the  next  room,  and  pointing  out  the  beds  to  be  occupied  by  Dar 
row  and  his  men,  took  leave  of  his  guests  for  the  night,  and  with 
his  daughter  retired  to  the  other  part  of  the  house.  Every  thing 
being  now  settled  to  the  apparent  satisfaction  of  all  parties,  it 
only  remained  to  get  the  helpless  and  unwieldly  outlaw  to  his 
lodging  in  the  barn.  And  Darrow  and  his  men  all  declaring 
that  they  would  by  no  means  consent  to  quit  their  generous  enter 
tainer  till  they  had  seen  him  safely  disposed  of  for  the  night, 
Warrington  and  the  soberest  soldiers  to  be  found  in  the  company, 
now  assisted  him  in  getting  on  his  feet,  and  bracing  out  his  legs 
so  that  he  could  be  kept  from  dropping  on  the  floor.  When  this, 
with  considerable  difficulty  and  no  little  noise  and  merriment, 


112  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

had  been  effected,  they  planted  themselves  firmly  under  each 
arm,  and  at  the  word  of  command,  sportively  given  by  one  of 
the  company,  trundled,  or  rather  pushed  his  huge  and  staggering 
carcase  forward  toward  the  barn,  attended  by  the  whole  com 
pany,  reeling,  jostling  and  shouting  along  by  his  side.  After 
they  had  arrived  there,  and  succeeded  in  getting  their  charge 
over  the  threshold,  they  unceremoniously  tumbled  him  on  a  pile 
of  hay  on  the  barn  floor;  when,  after  exchanging  mock  cere 
monies  of  parting  politeness,  Darrow  and  all  his  men,  now  feel 
ing  sure  of  an  easy  and  safe  capture  as  soon  as  their  intended 
victims  were  asleep,  departed  for  the  house. 

"  Charles  !  "  said  the  big  outlaw,  raising  himself  on  his  elbow, 
as  soon  as  the  sounds  of  the  receding  footsteps  of  the  soldiers 
had  died  away,  "Charles!  "  he  repeated,  in  a  low,  though  per 
fectly  sober  tone,  "you  creep  carefully  round  to  those  side  win 
dows,  and  see  if  some  of  these  curses  aint  still  lurking  round  the 
barn  to  watch  us." 

The  other,  silently  complying,  soon  returned,  and  reported 
that  no  one  was  visible. 

"Well  now,  Charles,"  resumed  the  first  speaker,  "you  get 
down  there  at  my  feet,  and  see  if  you  can  pull  off  my  plaguy  old 
boots.  There  is  more  than  a  quart  of  rum  in  them.  I  can  neither 
run  nor  fight  worth  a  copper  with  my  feet  in  such  a  devil's 
pickle." 

"Upon  my  word,  Colonel?"  said  Warrington,  while  comply 
ing  with  the  request  just  made,  "you  would  make  no  slouch  of  a 
juggler.  I  saw  no  chance  of  succeeding  in  any  way  short  of 
drinking  or  openly  refusing.  And  I  was  not  a  little  puzzled  to 
decide  whether  you  were  stark  mad  in  taking  such  quantities  of 
liquor,  or  whether  you  had  some  way  of  otherwise  disposing  of 
it,  which  I  could  not  detect.  Indeed,  for  the  last  half  hour  I 
have  been  perfectly  at  a  loss  to  know  whether  you  were  drunk  or 
sober.  How  did  you  contrive  to  cheat  them  so  cleverly  ?  " 

"  Buttoned  up  my  high  collared  coat,  so  as  to  come  up  over 
my  chin,  at  the  outset.  Then  minding  to  stand  so  as  to  admit  no 
side  views  to  that  hawk-eyed  sergeant,  or  to  the  others,  till  they 
were  too  far  gone  to  see  straight,  I  dashed  every  glass  down  my 
bosom.  Not  a  spoonful  has  gone  down  my  throat  to-night !  so 
help  me  Peter !  who  never  lied  but  three  times,  as  I  recollect. 
But  come,  we  must  be  thinking  of  something  else  now.  And  the 
first  question  to  be  settled  is.  whether  we  shall  go  off  without  our 


THE    GREEK    MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  118 

rifles,  and  perhaps  lose  them  entirely,  or  whether  we  shall  hatch 
up  some  scheme  to  get  them  out  of  the  house  ? " 

"I  have  strong  hope,  though  I  may  be  disappointed,"  said  the 
other  in  reply,  "  that  we  shall  soon  get  hold  of  them  through 
other  agency  than  our  own.  I  think  we  had  better  venture  on 
remaining  here  a  few  moments  longer  to  wait  the  result  of  an 
effort  which,  I  feel  quite  confident,  will  be  made  for  this  pur 
pose." 

"Aha,  Charley? — been  ploughing  with  the  Captain's  heifer, 
hey!  Well,  we  will  wait  a  little.  Yes,  yes,  I  see  now  what  the 
sly  jade  was  at,  when  she  set  in  so  plausibly  to  have  '  the  loath 
some  creature  '  carried  off  to  the  barn.  And,  indeed  Charles,  I 
suspected,  soon  after  I  arrived,  that  you  was  in  for  it,  there.  But 
how  in  the  name  of  Cupid,  and  Hymen,  and  Venus,  and  all  that 
sort  of  heathen  cattle,  did  you  happen  to  pounce  upon  such  a 
superb  piece  of  housel  stuff  ?  I  thought  you  never  strayed  so 
far  down  here  to  the  land's  end  ?  " 

Warrington  then  related  to  his  companion  all  the  circumstances 
connected  with  his  acquaintance  with  the  different  members  of 
the  Hendee  family,  his  late  discovery  relative  to  his  ownership 
of  the  land,  and  the  course  which  he  had,  and  still  intended  t» 
pursue  in  that  respect,  without  revealing,  however,  the  uncertain 
and  somewhat  peculiar  attitude  in  which  he  stood  with  the 
daughter. 

"Right  nobly  said  and  done!  "  exclaimed  the  other,  who  had 
listened  with  the  appearance  of  much  interest  to  the  recital,  and 
who  seemed  highly  to  appreciate  the  delicate  generosity  of  War 
rington,  "  nobly,  indeed,  though  with  a  higher  touch  of  the  chiv 
alrous,  I  fear,  my  dear  fellow,  than  you  would  often  find  recipro 
cated  in  this  wooden  age  and  country.  However,  you  will  one 
of  these  days  be  rewarded,  I  suppose,  by  receiving  the  same 
lands,  and  an  article  with  them  that  will  richly  pay  you  for  your 
forbearance:  For  by  all  the  saints,  from  Saint  Paul  down  to 
ragged  Saint  Patrick,  I  swear,  that  if  there  be  any  angels  of 
clay — that,  though,  is  nonsense  for  a  married  man.  But  seri 
ously,  Charles,  I  don't  know  when  I  have  seen  the  like  of  that 
girl !  A  form  and  face,  the  mold  of  which,  I  think,  must  have 
been  broken  with  but  one  cast — eyes  with  the  rich  and  lustrous 
hue  of  good  old  indigo,  though  pure  and  clear  as  the  mudless 
crystal  to  the  very  depths  of  the  soul  beyond  them.  And  then 
her  smile,  Charles — enough  to  craze  an  anchorite,  by  heavens!  " 

"Really,  Colonel,"  rejoined  Warrington,  jocosely,  "  you  would 


114  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

make  me  jealous  if  I  had  but  a  tithe  of  the  title  to  the  girl  that 
you  seem  to  suppose.  She  is  engaged,  man,  to  one  Sherwood 
the  very  fellow,  as  I  this  night  ascertained  from  her  own  lips, 
whom  we  caught  and  beech-sealed  for  a  spy  and  traitor,  on  our 
Way  down  the  Creek,  and  to  whom,  doubtless,  we  are  indebted  for 
this  concerted  plan  for  our  seizure." 

11 1  heard  of  your  doings  with  that  scoundrel,  as  I  came  along  a 
day  or  two  after.  And  the  only  fault  I  find  about  it  is,  that  you 
did  not  string  him  up,  according  to  the  decree  of  convention,  in 
such  case  made  and  provided.  But  can  it  be  possible,  Charles, 
that  God  ever  made  this  girl  for  such  a  fellow  ?  I  swear,  I  don't 
believe  it!  And  if  there  is  not  enough  of  you  to  set  him 
aside  " — 

"Well,  what  then?" 

"  Why,  you  don't  deserve  her,  that's  all — but  whist!  I  thought 
I  heard  a  footstep.  See  to  your  pistols,  Charles !  " 

' '  All  handy,  Colonel.  But  what  is  your  plan  if  they  beset  us 
here  ? " 

u  Why,  fight  'em,  most  likely,  I  think, — a  d — n  poor  story  if 
we  two  ain't  a  match  for  those  four  half  fuddled  devils !  " 

"Certainly,  but  there  were  nearly,  or  quite  as  many  more, 
posted  round  the  house  in  ambush,  or  my  ears  deceived  me 


"No,  were  there  ?" 

''Yes,  I  am  positive,  Colonel." 

"Well,  well,  Charles,  the  trifling  addition  of  three  or  four 
more  of  them  ain't  worth  standing  about.  But  hush  again ! " 
continued  the  speaker,  his  voice  sinking  to  a  whisper,  "I  was 
right :  I  just  caught  the  glimpse  of  a  head  peering  in  at  that  side 
door." 

The  senses  of  the  big  outlaw  had  not  deceived  him.  And  the 
object  of  his  suspicion  now  appeared  several  times  before  the  part 
ly  opened  door;  though  at  each  time  suddenly,  and  for  a  moment 
withdrawn.  At  length  the  door  was  cautiously  opened. consider 
ably  wider,  and  the  questionable  head  thrust  fairly  in,  where  it 
remained  stationary  as  a  block  for  a  full  minute. 

"  Umph!  "  at  length  uttered  the  object,  in  a  low,  but  distiuc/ 
tone. 

"All  right,"  said  Warrington,  "it  is  Neshobee,  as  I  ex 
pected." 

"  Umph!  "  me  come — gotum  your  rifles,"  said  the  letter,  nois* 


GHEEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  115 


lessly  advancing,  and  handing  the  guns  to  each  of  their  respec 
tive  owners. 

"You  have  done  us  no  fool  of  a  favor,  my  fine  fellow,"  said 
the  elder  Green  Mountain  Boy.  "How  did  you  get  the  guns 
out  of  the  house. 

"Missus  Alma  contrive  um  all,"  replied  the  Indian.  "She 
put  um  out  her  sleep-room  window  —  then  say  it  —  so  me  go  bring 
um." 

"A  glorious  girl,  that,  by  Jupiter!"  resumed  the  former. 
"You  and  she  both,  my  red  friend,  deserve  a  pension  at  our 
hands.  Here,  take  hold  of  this  crown  piece,  to  begin  upon." 

'  '  Him  good  !  Cappen,  him  good  afore,  "  said  the  native,  taking 
the  proffered  coin. 

"And  I  will  try  to  continue  so,"  said  Warrington,  thrusting 
another  crown  into  the  Indian's  ready  hand.  "But  anything 
more,  Neshobee  ?  "  he  continued,  judging  from  the  other's  man 
ner,  that  he  had  something  further  to  impart. 

"Missus  Alma  say  me  tell  um  go  —  say  the  rest  sogers  come  in 
house  now,  drink  rum  more  again  —  say,  go  straight,  quick, 
better  —  no  stay  minute." 

"Good  advice,  too,"  said  the  big  outlaw,  "and  let  us  lose  no 
time  in  following  it.  Charles,  lead  the  way!" 

Cautiously  emerging  from  the  barn,  and  clearing  the  yard 
fence,  our  two  friends  now  proceeded,  with  silent  but  rapid 
steps,  through  the  open  field,  till  they  gained  a  knoll  about 
sixty  rods  from  the  house,  when  the  nameless  outlaw  paused  and 
looked  back. 

"  Clear  of  the  rascals  at  last,  I  believe,"  observed  Warrington. 

The  other  made  no  reply,  but  stood  as  if  debating  some  point 
m  his  mind,  which  he  was  unable  to  decide. 

"Well,  which  way  now,  Colonel?"  resumed  the  former, 
thinking  his  companion  might  be  hesitating  about  the  route  they 
should  take. 

"Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan!  "  at  length  exclaimed  the  other, 
violently  dashing  back  both  his  hands.  "  Give  me  joy,  Charles," 
he  added,  without  paying  the  least  attention  to  the  question"  that 
had  just  been  asked  him,  "give  me  joy,  for  I  have  conquered." 

"Indeed,  sir,  it  is  quite  impossible  for  me  to  comprehend 
you." 

'  '  Not  comprehend  me  !  Oh,  true,  how  should  you  ?  It  only 
passed  through  my  mind.  Well,  Charles,  I  have  been  sorely 
tempted  —never  so  tempted  in  my  life." 


116  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

11  About  what,  pray  ?" 

"Why,  about  going  over  and  taking  yonder  fort  to-night, 
According  to  your  account  of  the  numbers  now  on  this  side, 
there  cannot  be  over  ten  or  a  dozen  left  in  the  garrison.  You 
and  I  could  have  taken  their  boat  here,  while  they  were  waiting 
for  us  to  get  to  sleep,  slipped  over,  and  made  the  attempt.  I 
think  we  could  carry  it.  And,  ah!  "  continued  the  speaker,  rub 
bing  his  hands  in  ecstacy,  "there  would  have  been  glory,  glorj 
in  it,  Charles!"  But  duty  forbade;  for  a  failure  certainly,  and 
success,  probably,  would  have  defeated  an  object  of  two-fold  im 
portance  to  the  country.  And  conscience  told  me  I  should  fore, 
go  my  private  wishes  for  public  good.  That  object,  as  stone 
walls  have  ears,  they  say,  I  will  not  name  here.  But  it  was  that 
which  brought  me  into  this  section.  Hendee's  situation  here,  so 
near  one  of  the  enemy's  strongholds,  made  it  important  that  his 
feelings  should  be  known.  And  it  was  for  that  purpose  I  called 
to-night,  when  I  unexpectedly  found  you.  I  intended  to  have 
been  at  half  a  dozen  other  places  before  this,  and  I  should,  but 
for  this  cursed  bother  with  these  minions  of  hell  and  New  York. 
We  will  now  on  to  your  encampment.  I  called  there  at 
sunset.  Your  lieutenant  had  returned.  The  party  sent  to  seize 
the  surveyor  had  just  been  heard  from,  and  were  expected  to  ar 
rive  with  their  prisoner  to-night.  He  must  be  tried  and  disposed 
of  in  a  hurry.  But  have  you  made  any  further  discoveries  about 
the  York  justice  in  this  section  ?  " 

"I  have  ascertained  his  residence,  and  discovered  the  bearing 
of  his  feeling  towards  the  enemy — nothing  further," 

"Enough!  I  have  received,  since  we  parted,  papers  which 
settle  the  case.  We  must  have  him  up,  and  do  off  all  this  York 
business  in  a  batch  in  the  morning ;  for  there  is  much  to  be  done 
to-morrow,  in  preparation  of  a  general  meeting  of  the  trusty  to 
morrow  night,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Middle  Falls.  Ah!  Charles, 
there  is  something  afoot,  to  which  this  petty  warfare  we  have 
been  engaged  in  with  New  York,  is  as  a  rush-light  to  the 
meridian  sun !  I  burn  to  be  in  it ;  for  it  will  be  great,  daring, 
and  glorious ! " 

Leaving  our  two  Green  Mountain  Boys  to  proceed  to  their 
present  destination,  with  hearts  swelling  at  the  thought  of  the 
future,  and  somewhat  elated  withal  at  their  fortunate  escape 
from  a  danger  of  certainly  no  small  magnitude,  when  the  vi 
cinage  of  the  fort,  and  the  small  chance  of  a  rescue  are  con 
sidered,  we  will  return  for  a  moment  to  the  company  we  left 


THE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  117 

at  the  house.  It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  rage  Mid 
chargrfn  of  Darrow,  and  his  men,  when,  after  waiting  till  they 
supposed  their  two  intended  victims  were  helpless  in  sleep, 
they  proceeded  stealthily,  and  with  undoubting  assurance  of  an 
easy  victory,  to  the  barn,  and  discovered  that  their  birds  were 
both  flown.  They  saw  at  once  that  they  had  been  fairly  out 
witted  by  the  wily  outlaws.  Solacing  themselves,  however,  with 
9  promise  of  seizing  the  fugitives  another  day,  they  gave  up  the 
project  for  the  present,  well  knowing  that  any  attempt  at  pur 
suit  would  now  be  utterly  useless.  And  at  the  command  of 
Darrow,  who  kept  his  future  purposes,  whatever  they  might  be, 
to  himself,  they  all  silently  withdrew  from  the  house,  and  imme 
diately  crossed  over  to  the  fort. 


CHAPTER  XH. 


1  They  came  not  from  the  head,  it  waa  the  heart  that  wrote  th«m." 


THE  next  morning  after  the  affair  at  the  Lower  Falls,  between 
our  Green  Mountain  Boys  and  the  hired  minibns  of  Colonel  Reed,  a 
separation,  as  the  reader  will  readily  remember,  took  place  among 
the  former,  the  several  individuals  who  had  occupied  a  conspicu 
ous  place  in  our  story,  departing  in  different  directions,  and  with 
objects  as  diverse  as  their  various  destinations.  Some  of  these  in 
dividuals,  still  designed  to  sustain  a  close  connection  with  the 
events  we  have  undertaken  to  delineate,  have  been  neglected 
through  several  of  our  last  chapters,  in  order  to  preserve,  as  un 
broken  as  possible,  the  chain  of  the  leading  part  of  the  narrative, 
in  several  scenes  we  had  commenced,  so  nearly  connected  as  to  ren 
der  a  break  alike  disagreeable  to  both  reader  and  writer.  But 
being  allowed  a  short  respite  before  following  those  with  whom 
we  have  just  parted,  we  now  hasten  to  bestow,  in  the  first  place, 
some  attention  on  our  friend  Selden,  and  his  new  charge,  the  vola 
tile,  but  not  ungifted,  Jessy  Reed,  by  following  them  to  the  dea» 


118  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

tination,  for  which  they  were  on  the  point  of  embarking  when  we 
left  them.  This  was  at  Skenesboro',  near  the  south  end  of  the 
lake,  so  called  from  the  name  of  the  proprietor  of  a  large  body  of 
land  at  this  place, — Colonel  Skene,  who,  being  not  only  a  wealthy 
landholder,  but  the  commander  of  one  of  the  king's  regiments.,  had 
here  constructed  a  large,  strong,  stone  house,  and  made  it  a  sort  of 
military  post,  as  well  as  the  residence  of  his  family  and  various 
dependents.  The  whole  of  this  curious  establishment,  not  a  little 
resembling  that  of  one  of  the  ancient  feudal  lords,  was,  at  this 
time,  under  the  command  of  Major  Skene,  a  son  of  the  proprietor, 
the  father  having  been  some  months  absent,  engaged  in  negocia> 
tions  for  his  own  aggrandizement  at  the  British  court.  It  was  to 
this  place  that  Miss  Reed  had  so  fearlessly  undertaken  a  voyage  in 
an  open  skiff,  with  one  oarsman,  and  Selden,  her  volunteer  knight 
attendant.  But  a  description  of  this  voyage,  together  with  many 
circumstances  which  preceded  it,  we  will  now,  agreeably  to  a  pre 
vious  intimation,  allow  the  fair  voyager  to  give  in  her  own  lan 
guage.  And  for  this  purpose  we  present  the  following  letter,  sent 
by  her  a  few  days  after  her  arrival  at  Skenesboro',  and  received  on 
the  morning  following  the  events  recorded  in  the  last  chapter : — 

To  Miss  ALMA  HENDEE, — 

"I  have  most  serious  doubts,  my  dear  Alma,  whether  I  am  ex 
actly  myself.  And  should  you  be  equally  dubious,  as  I  expect 
you  will,  when  you  have  perused  all  that  I  shall  now,  under  the 
rose,  impart,  you  may  set  it  down,  if  you  please,  as  the  relation  of 
a  pretty  dream,  which  has  passed  through  the  brain  of  Philip 
Skene's  half-courted  high-flyer,  while  dozing  under  the  soporific 
thoughts  of  a  matter  of  course,  all  very  suitable  sort  of  a  match, 
with  his  grave  and  calculating  majorship.  One  thing,  however, 
I  imagine,  is  certain;  and  that  is,  that  I  am  here  at  Skenesboro', 
snugly  immured  in  the  Major's  stone  castle.  And  why  I  am  so 
positive  of  this  is,  that  I  feel  so  sleepy,  and  have  felt  so  ever  since 
he  left  us.  He  !  who  ?  Ah  !  that  sets  me  afloat  again !  But  1 
will  begin  at  the  beginning;  and,  dream,  or  no  dream,  you  shall 
have  the  whole  of  my  adventures  with  (now  be  making  up  your 
mouth  for  interjections  !)  those  horrid,  brave,  dear,  ugly  Greeu 
Mountain  Boys. 

Accompanying  my  father  from  Montreal,  with  my  half  Indian 
girl,  Zilpah  Wampum,  under  the  arrangement  that  we  should  be 
left,  and  stationed  at  Skenesboro'  during  his  contemplated  sojourn 
of  some  time  in  the  city  of  New  York,  I  besought  him  right  earn- 


THE    GREEN    MOIWTAIN    SOTS.  119 

jstly  on  the  way,  to  let  me  go  with  him  to  visit  his  possessions  up 
Otter  Creek,  to  which  he  intended  to  return  for  a  day  after  landing 
us  at  the  Major's.  After  a  few  of  those  not  very  alarming  affairs, 
pshaws!  pishes!  &c.,  I  carried  my  point,  as  I  generally  do,  with 
my,  I  fear,  too  indulgent  parent.  And  what  was  a  still  greater 
victory,  and  certainly,  much  harder  to  be  won,  I  prevailed  upon 
him  at  last  to  let  us  remain  there  for  a,  few  days  after  he  had  pro 
ceeded  on  his  journey,  under  the  condition  that  I  should  take  a 
very  fair,  warm,  and  very  calm  day  within  a  week  at  farthest,  and, 
with  our  best  boat,  and  two  of  our  most  careful  men  there,  proceed 
to  our  original  destination. 

"  Well,  there  we  remained  at  that  wild,  romantic  place,  happy 
as  larks,  by  day  rambling  round  the  fields  for  flowers,  skirting 
the  woods  for  spruce  gum,  boxberries,  and  birds'  nests,  and  at 
night,  listening  to  the  adventures  of  the  men,  or  quizzing  the 
honest  old  Mclntosh,  the  commander  of  the  post,  as  he  calls 
himself — there  we  remained,  I  say,  till  the  fourth  day  after  father 
had  left  us,  when,  who  should  make  his  appearance,  but  that 
plausible  and  oily-tongued  beau  of  yours,  Jacob  Sherwood,  an 
nouncing  that  a  band  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  headed  by  War- 
rington,  the  outlaw,  was  in  full  march  to  lay  waste,  burn,  and 
destroy  our  possessions,  and  murder  every  soul  to  be  found  on 
the  premises,  or  at  least  to  carry  us  off  as  captives  to  their  dens 
in  the  mountains!  My  heart  beat  like  a  young  drummer!  And 
as  for  Zilpah,  though  mute  as  a  fish,  her  complexion  wonderfully 
improved  about  that  time,  I  assure  you.  However,  being  a  sol 
dier's  daughter,  as  well  as  yourself,  I  soon  made  up  my  mind  not 
to  die  of  fright,  at  least ;  so  I  flew  round,  helped  the  men  to 
make  cartridges,  and  whatever  else  I  could  do,  in  preparation  for 
the  expected  visit.  Sherwood  was  invited  to  aid  in  putting  the 
garrison  in  a  state  of  defence,  and  remain  with  us  through  the 
coming  siege.  But  oh,  no!  he  couldn't  possibly !  He  must  be 
off  to  the  woods  to  watch  the  enemy's  approach,  and  give  us 
signal  guns  when  they  arrived  at  the  clearing.  Well,  after  the 
whole  establishment  had  resounded  with  the  din  of  preparation 
about  an  hour,  and  everything  was  prepared  for  their  reception, 
Mclntosh  called  us  together,  women  and  all,  for  a  council  of  war, 
to  hear  the  different  plans  that  might  be  offered  as  to  the  best 
mode  of  conducting  the  defence,  though  doggedly  determined,  all 
the  while,  that  none  but  his  own  should  be  adopted.  And  what 
think  you  that  was  ?  Why.  that  all  the  men  should  take  the 
§eld  against  the  enemy,  and  fight  their  way  back,  under  cover  of 


120  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

log-heaps,  to  the  works,  leaving  us,  poor  women,  entirely  alone, 
to  unbar  the  gate  to  receive  them,  when  they  should  reach  it  and 
give  the  watch-word.  This  sage  plan  of  operations,  as  you  may 
well  suppose,  did  not  at  all  strike  my  fancy.  But  finding  oppo- 
gition  useless,  I  submitted  with  the  best  grace  I  could,  demand 
ing,  however,  as  the  terms  of  my  compliance,  that  they  should 
leave  me  a  good  musket  (a  Major's  wife  at  one  of  our  stations, 
some  years  ago,  having  taught  me  how  to  load  and  fire  cne),  for 
our  defence,  in  case  I  should  have  occasion  to  use  it.  This 
settled,  Mclntosh  marshalled  his  men,  sallied  out,  and  lay  in 
ambush  till  the  enemy  appeared,  when  a  battle  commenced  in 
which  powder  enough  was  burnt  to  have  slain  a  regiment,  though, 
strange  to  tell,  not  one  drop  of  blood  was  spilled  on  either  side. 

"Now  comes  my  part  of  this  queer  drama.  While  I  stood 
at  the  gate  listening,  with  palpitating  heart,  to  the  thunders  of 
the  musketry  in  the  field,  and  anxiously  awaiting  the  signal  to 
open  to  our  men,  I  heard  steps  outside  the  enclosure,  which  I 
knew  could  not  proceed  from  any  of  our  party.  Almost  despe 
rate  with  fear,  I  seized  the  loaded  gun  which  had  been  left  for 
me,  and  stood  on  the  defensive,  while  poor  Zilpah,  still  worse 
frightened,  fled  into  the  house.  All  for  a  few  moments  was 
quiet,  when  happening  to  look  round,  I  beheld,  to  my  utter  sur 
prise  and  consternation,  one  of  the  enemy  approaching  me,  three 
of  them,  it  seems,  having  already  scaled  the  walls  behind  the 
house.  Heaven  forgive  me !  in  the  desperation  of  the  moment 
I  fired  my  gun  at  him,  though,  thanks  to  the  same  heaven,  with 
out  hitting  him.  He  proved  to  be  the  lieutenant  of  Warrington, 
who  now,  with  the  other  man,  rushed  forward  from  behind  the 
house,  when  all  stood  confronting  me.  But  what  do  you  think 
they  did  ?  Seize  me  like  ruffians,  as  from  Sherwood's  tale  of  the 
horribles,  I  expected  ?  No,  they  came  forward,  and,  in  the  most 
mild  and  gentlemanly  manner,  advised,  nay,  entreated  me  to 
retire  into  the  house,  to  which  I  now  suffered  myself  to  be  con 
ducted  by  Lieutenant  Selden,  who  had  just  providentially  escaped 
death  by  my  hand !  I  think  I  must  have  appeared  like  a  fool. 
I  certainly  felt  like  one. 

"I  need  not  inform  you  that  our  men  now  soon  surrendered 
to  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  who  took  possession,  claiming, 
however,  none  of  the  movables,  and  asking  only  that  the  men 
should  leave  the  place  the  next  day.  The  treatment  I  received, 
and  the  explanations  given  me  by  Warrington,  (who,  by  the  way 
is  a  noble  looking  fellow;  Alma,  I  wish  you  could  see  him,)  ip 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  121 

regard  to  this  war  about  titles,  soon  overset  all  my  preconceived 
opinions  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  Indeed,  if  we  can  rely 
on  their  statements,  I  hardly  know  how  our  people  can  be  justi 
fied  in  driving  these  poor  settlers  from  their  farms. 

uBut  what  shall  I  say  of  him — Mr.  Selden,  I  mean?  Who 
would  credit — I  would  not  a  week  ago,  I  am  sure — that,  after 
having  called  him  a  ruffian  and  monster  to  his  face,  as  I  did  when 
he  first  approached  me,  I  was  found  in  the  twilight  of  the  same 
evening,  rambling,  arm  in  arm,  with  the  handsome,  quizzical, 
audacious  rogue,  along  the  freshly  flowered  banks  of  the  Otter, 
quoting  poetry  with  him,  or  listening  to  the  better  poetry  of  his 
own  brilliant  conceptions,  which  sometimes  flowed  from  his  lips 
in  bursts  of  surpassing  eloquence,  and  sometimes  in  sallies  of 
wit,  so  original  and  irresistibly  humorous,  that  I  would  defy  the 
gravest  puritian  in  the  land  to  keep  his  risibles  from  breaking 
loose  on  the  occasion.  He  volunteered  to  attend  me  to  Skenes- 
boro',  the  next  day,  and  I  -now  don't  suspect  me  of  being  cap 
tivated  with  the  fellow,  Alma— I  accepted  the  offer— how  could 
I  do  less.  Well,  the  next  morning,  with  Zilpah,.  bag  and  bag 
gage — the  bag,  you  will  say,  perhaps,  should  have  been  given  to 
him— and  with  one  of  his  father's  trusty  and  strong-armed  High 
landers  for  an  oarsman,  we  shipped  aboard  boat,  and  proceeded 
down  the  Creek.  The  day  was  most  serenely  fair.  And  our 
voyage  to  the  mouth  of  the  stream,  as  we  glided  rflong  the 
gently  flowing  current  in  its  meandering  course,  was  indeed  de 
lightful.  The  forest-lined  banks  were  beautifully  frosted  with 
the  white  wood  violet,  or  blushing  with  beds  of  wild  tulips; 
while  the  budding  branches  of  the  overhanging  trees  above, 
seemed  fairly  vivified  by  the  thousand  melodious  duets  that  were 
joyously  bursting  from  the  happy  little  hearts  of  these  minstrel 
lovers  of  the  grove. 

"After  we  had  reached  the  open  lake,  we  found  a  pretty 
breeze  blowing  freshly  from  the  westward.  And  the  gentleman, 
fixing  up  a  blanket  for  a  sail,  our  little  craft  swept  through  the 
lake  right  merrily,  I  assure  you.  We  were  soon  abreast  of  your 
charming  situation.  And  I  could  hardly  consent  to  pass  you 
without  hauling  up  for  a  short  morning  call;  but  the  men  urging 
that  by  improving  the  breeze  we  could  easily  reach  our  destina 
tion  by  night,  when  otherwise  we  might  fail  of  so  doing,  I  re 
luctantly  agreed  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  and  intro 
ducing  my  Green  Mountain  Phoenix  -not  that  I  am  particularly 
cnarmed  with  aim  myself,  but  I  think  you  would  have  been  grat- 


123  TEE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

tified  in  beholding  so  rare  an  avis,  as  a  gentleman,  as  he  really 
is,  from  so  wild  and  savage  a  region  as  this  Green  Mountain 
country. 

"At  noon  we  dined  quite  romantically  from  off  the  middle 
seat  of  our  boat,  on  edibles  furnished  from  our  store  basket,  and 
neatly  arranged  by  Zilpah.  I  never  partook  with  greater  zest; 
and  what  with  the  keenness  of  our  appetites,  the  novelty  of  the 
affair,  and  'the  thousand  spicy  things  said  on  the  occasion,  I 
don't  believe  I  should  have  enjoyed  the  banquet  of  a  princess 
with  half  the  pleasure  that  I  did  this  meal. 

"After  we  had  taken  our  refreshment  and  again  got  under 
way,  for  we  had  run  into  a  little  cove,  beautifully  over-arched  by 
a  cluster  of  whispering  pines,  the  saucy  rogue  so  managed  as  to 
get  Zilpah  and  the  oarsman  into  one  part  of  the  boat,  and  him 
self  and  your  humble  servant  into  the  other,  with  our  blanket 
sail  forming  an  impenetrable  screen  between.  Here,  after  senti 
mentalizing  and  poetizing  awhile  over  the  ever  changing  views 
of  scenery,  alternating  with  the  majestic  and  beautiful,  as  we 
rapidly  glided  by  them,  he  began  a  set  of  compliments  so  very 
pointed,  and  squinting  loveward.  but  at  the  same  time  so  oddly 
framed,  that  I  knew  not  whether  to  laugh  or  be  angry.  I  should 
have  severely  chided  so  much  boldness  in  a  stranger,  however, 
on  one  or  two  occasions,  had  not  the  provoking  creature,  care 
fully  watching  my  countenance,  thrown  in  some  remark  that 
gave  an  entirely  different  turn  to  the  whole  meaning  of  what  he 
had  began  to  say.  So  you  see,  Alma,  how  far  I  am  from  any 
thing  like  the  tender  passion  in  this  strangely  begun,  and  no  less 
strangely  maintained  acquaintance. 

"  The  remainder  of  our  voyage  was  now  mostly  occupied  by 
him  in  giving  me  a  history  of  his  life  as  far  as  he  knew  it  him 
self,  relating  the  singular,  and  certainly  very  romantic  adven 
tures  through  which  he  passed,  from  his  childhood  to  the  present 
hour.  Having  neither  time  nor  space  to  detail  them  now,  I  will 
only  say  briefly,  that  he  was  born  somewhere  in  New  England, 
as  he  supposes,  for  he  neither  knows  his  birthplace,  nor  the 
name  of  his  parents.  But  by  some  means  or  other  falling  into 
mercenary  hands,  when  a  mere  child,  he  was  sold  as  a  slave, — 
passed  through  several  hands,  and  at  length  carried  over  the 
waters, — taken  into  the  protection  of  a  philanthropic  nobleman 
in  England,  by  whom  he  was  liberally  educated,  and  furnished 
with  a  handsome  outfit  to  purchase  a  commission  in  the  army,  or 
his  fortune  wherever  he  could  find  it.  He  then,  after  wan- 


THE    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS.  123 

dering  awhile  in  Europe,  obeyed  the  impulses  of  his  own  heart, 
and  came  to  visit  his  own  country ;  when,  being  enamored  of  a 
sylvan  life,  and  thinking  he  should  enjoy  the  excitements 
usually  to  be  found  in  a  border  settlement,  he  soon  found  his 
way  to  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  and  enlisted  in  the  con 
troversy,  which  he  here  found  going  on  between  the  settlers  and 
the  New  Yorkers. 

"By  the  time  he  had  closed  this  very  interesting  and  delight 
fully  told  autobiography,  we  hove  in  sight  of  the  castellated 
establishment  of  the  Skenes.  It  was  then,  almost  for  the  first 
time,  that  it  occurred  to  me,  that,  attended  as  I  was,  my  meeting 
with  the  family  must  be  an  extremely  awkward  one,  since  the 
feelings  of  the  Major,  as  well  as  those  of  his  father,  the  Colonel, 
are  known  to  be  hostile  to  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  and  I  could 
not  forbear  hinting  this  to  Selden,  and  suggesting  at  the  same 
time,  the  expediency  of  withholding  from  the  family,  till  he  had 
gone,  all  knowledge  of  the  late  affair  at  the  Falls,  or  his  passing 
incog,  among  them. 

11 '  Oh,  no  ! '  was  the  prompt  reply,  '  mince  no  matters  on  my 
account,  fair  lady.  Having  made  my  peace  with  her  who  is 
most  interested,  and  obtained  an  absolution  for  my  offences- 
have  I  not?  at  least,'  he  continued,  with  a  tone  and  smile  so 
sweet,  so  tender,  and  yet  so  imploring,  that  I  found  my  head  nod 
ding  an  assent  before  I  knew  it,  '  at  least,  may  I  not  be  permitted 
to  hope  I  shall,  my  dear  Miss  Eeed  ?— having  done  this  they 
must  be  singularly  disposed  indeed,  to  espouse  the  quarrels  of 
others  if  they  offer  me  any  personal  disrespect.  No,  no,  fear  it 
not,  and  should  you  feel  disposed  to  countenance  my  remaining 
at  this  place  through  the  night,  I  shall  gladly  risk  all  conse 
quences  to  myself  from  so  doing.' 

"  We  had  now  reached  the  landing,  and  in  a  moment  the  in 
mates  of  the  house,  who  were  expecting  me  about  these  days,  and 
had  conjectured  who  we  were,  all  rushed  out,  and  Marge  and  Mary 
Skene,  with  their  brother,  came  flying  like  two  paper  kites  with  a 
lubberly  boy  at  their  tails,  down  to  the  boat  to  receive  us.  I  don't 
know  how  I  made  my  tongue  do  its  office  in  returning  their  salu 
tations,  for  my  heart  certainly  leaped  right  up  plump  into  my 
mouth,  and  I  cannot  conceive  how  that  poor  little  member,  so 
shamefully  belied  in  our  sex,  could  have  possibly  found  room  to 
wag !  It  did,  however,  and  I  introduced  Mr.  Selden,  by  name,  to 
them  all.  The  girls,  I  thought,  seemed  rather  pleased  that  I  had 
brought  them  a  new  candidate  for  their  toils,  and  so  fine  a  looking 


124  THE    GBEEN    MOUNTAIN  DOTS. 

fellow  into  the  bargain.  But  the  Major,  reckoning  on  the 
bility,  I  suppose,  that  the  other  might  become  a  candidate  for  the 
toils  of  somebody  besides  sisters,  looked  rather  askew  at  my  gentle 
man,  nevertheless,  not  knowing  exactly  what  might  be  a  safe  con 
clusion  on  such  uncertain  premises,  he  soon  brought  himself  to 
behave  ouite  decently,  and  escorted  us  all  to  the  house  without 
further  ado.  But  further  trials  were  in  store  for  me  ;  for  Mr.  Sel- 
den,  as  soon  as  we  had  all  got  comfortably  seated,  to  my  surprise, 
broke  the  ice  at  once — and,  after  craving  their  attention  a  mo 
ment,  while  he  relieved  Miss  Reed,  as  he  said,  of  a  task  which  he 
could  readily  conceive  would  be  an  unpleasant  one  for  her  to  per 
form,  very  coolly  related  the  whole  transaction  which  led  to  his 
acquaintance  with  me,  and  the  consequent  responsibility  that  de 
volved  on  him  of  seeing  me  safe  to  my  friends. 

"I  felt,  though  lean  scarcely  tell  why  I  should,  like  a  criminal, 
while  Mr.  Selden  was  making  this  development,  which,  I  had 
many  fears,  would  involve  his  personal  safety  ;  notwithstanding 
he  has  done  nothing,  as  yet,  he  tells  me,  that  the  York  govern 
ment  consider  worthy  of  death  or  bonds.  All  seemed  much  sur 
prised  at  what  they  heard,  and  in  the  Major's  face — that  is,  as  soon 
as  he  could  comprehend  the  matter,  for  it  takes  an  idea  some 
time,  you  know,  to  get  through  his  cranium,  and  no  great  wonder, 
neither,  considering  how  far  it  has  to  go — in  the  Major's  face  I 
saw  evident  signs  of  a  gathering  storm.  But  knowing,  that  on  a 
reasonable  calculation,  Mr.  S.  might  count  on  two  days  at  least  be 
fore  a  cloud  engendering  in  so  cold  a  climate  would  become  suf~ 
ficiently  charged  to  be  dangerous,  I  did  not  feel  greatly  alarmed, 
and  especially  so  as  the  girls  seemed  disposed  to  laugh  at  the  affair. 
And  Marge,  on  Mr.  Selden's  playfully  proposing  to  submit  himself 
to  us  ladies  to  pass  sentence  for  his  crimes,  quite  smartly  observed, 
that  we  would  sentence  him  to  an  imprisonment  of  a  week  in  their 
stone  jug,  as  she  termed  their  house,  and  be  let  out  to  attend  us  on 
horseback  or  in  a  boat  ride  each  day. 

"We  now  passed  the  remainder  of  the  evening  very  pleasantly. 
And  for  the  next  two  days  we  almost  literally  inflicted  on  Mr.  Sel 
den  the  sentence  which  had  been  so  queerly  imposed.  We  read, 
walked,  sailed,  and  rode  alternately ;  and  a  right  merry  time  we 
had  of  it,  I  assure  you — Mr.  Selden  in  the  mean  time  becoming  a 
great  favorite  with  the  girls,  especially  with  Marge,  to  whom  I 
thought  he  was  rather  more  particular  than  he  should  have  been  in 
strict  politeness  to  the  rest  of  us.  He  had  an  object,  however,  I 
presume,  in  conciliating  the  girls  by  his  attentions.  Do  youthink4 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOTS.  125 

AJma,  that  Marge  Skene  is  so  yery  handsome  as  some  pretend  to 
think  her  ? 

"  '  But  where  was  my  doughty  Major  in  the  meanwhile?  '  you 
will  ask.  Why  he  was  so  unaccountably  busy  with  the  workmen 
in  the  field  just  about  those  days,  that  he  could  not,  on  any  ac 
count,  attend  us  on  any  of  our  delightful  excursions.  And  when 
he  joined  us  at  our  meals,  he  was  as  grave  as  a  Turk.  Mr.  S., 
however,  I  thought,  was  less  alarmed  than  amused  at  his  awful- 
ness  of  countenance. 

"After  two  days  thus  spent,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  third 
after  our  arrival,  Mr.  S.  suddenly  announced  to  us  his  intention 
of  an  immediate  departure.  The  girls  were  evidently  touched 
with  regret  and  disappointment  at  this  unexpected  announcement, 
thinking,  perhaps,  that  their  work  was  but  half  complete.  But  if 
ever  Margery,  or  Mary  Skene,  is  selected  by  him  for  a  cynosure,  I 
have  mistaken  his  taste;  and  yet,  I  confess,  his  conduct  has  some 
times  not  a  little  puzzled  me.  He  thanked  me  for  the  considera 
tion  I  had  shown  him  under  unplei  a  int  circumstances  of  our  first 
acquaintance  in  a  manner  so  handsome  and  feeling,  that  it  made 
me  fuel  like  a  condemned  and  guilty  one,  when  I  thought 
of  that  mad  act  of  mine,  which  marked  the  introduction  to 
which  lie  alluded.  He  then  very  politely  thanked  the  girls  for 
their  kindness  and  hospitality,  and  was  about  to  depart,  when 
Marge  found  tongue  to  invite  him  to  renew  his  visit. 

"  '  I  know  not,'  he  answered,  somewhat  pensively,  'that  cir 
cumstances  will  ever  permit  me  that  pleasure  in  person,  but  if 
you  know  of  any  way,  fair  ladies,' — he  continued,  glancing  quite 
meaningly  at  somebody,  as  the  girls  in  their  jokes  would  after 
wards  have  it — 'any  way  of  receiving  the  visits  I  may  pay  you  in 
dreams,  I  doubt  not  that  you  will  often  be  favored  with  the  rep* 
itition  you  have  so  kindly  invited.  Adieu,  ladies,  adieu.' 

"I  do  not  certainly  know  the  reason  of  Mr.  Selden's  abrupt 
departure,  but  from  what  I  can  gather,  I  suspect  the  Major  had 
that  morning  despatched  an  express  to  the  authorities  at  Albany, 
with  a  view  to  get  the  former  arrested.  This  I  presume,  he,  by 
some  means  or  other,  got  wind  of,  and  I  am  glad  of  it,  if  for  no 
other  reason  than  that  it  defeated  Philip's  jealous  meanness.  He 
gave  us  all  quite  a  lecture  that  night  for  being  so  familiar  with 
one  who  was  so  much  a  stranger,  and  threw  out  many  ill-natured 
remarks  about  Mi.  S.  that  helped  his  own  cause,  perhaps,  less 
than  he  imagined.  I  wish  heaven  had  made  him  such  a  man. 

u  I  rai^st  now  close  this  long,  and,  I  fear,  very  foolish  letter, 


120.       THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

I  dare  not  read  it  over  for  fear  I  should  burn  it.  I  shall  remain 
here  for  the  present — I  must,  I  suppose,  till  father  returns.  O, 
what  will  he  say  when  he  hears  what  they  have  done  with  his 
possessions !  For  myself,  I  care  little  or  nothing  about  it.  He 
toses  only  what  he  paid  for  the  land — a  mere  trifle.  As  for  the 
labor  and  improvements  bestowed  there,  he  has  been  more  than 
twice  paid  by  the  profits  received.  Besides,  he  is  wealthy 
enough  without  this  property,  which,  I  really  suspect,  he  cruelly 
took  from  the  poor  settlers,  who  had  as  good  a  right  to  it  as  him 
self—perhaps  better. 

u  P.  S.  I  said  I  must  stay  here  till  father's  return,  but  should 
he  tarry  some  months,  I  might  contrive,  perhaps,  to  come  and 
spend  a  few  weeks  with  you.  If  I  should,  as  Mr.  S.  will  be 
somewhere  in  your  vicinity,  probably,  and  may  claim  me  as  an 
acquaintance,  you  might  possibly  have  an  opportunity  of  being 
introduced  to  him — that  is^  if  he  knew  that  I  was  there.  Now, 
my  dear  girl,  I  must  bid  you  good-by,  with  the  charge — now  lift 
lip  your  hand  and  swear — that  you  will  neither  show  this,  nor 
breathe  aught  of  its  contents  to  mortal  ear!  Remember! !  Write 
soon — adieu.  JESSY." 


CHAPTER  XIH. 


1  Ton  shall  be  viceroys  here,  'tis  true, 
But  we'll  be  viceroys  over  you." 

Wait  not  till  things  grow  desperater, 
For  hanging  is  no  laughing  matter." 


A  FEW  miles  to  the  southward  of  the  encampment  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  before  described,  stood  the  tenement  of  a 
settler  whose  improvements  were  somewhat  in  advance  of  the 
rough  beginnings  of  those  who  resided  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
And  the  owner  and  occupant,  having  gained  that  point  of  com 
parative  thrift  from  which  he  could  look  down  upon  his  less  for 
tunate  neighbors,  had  lately  begun  to  manifest  an  ambition  to 
outshine  them  also  in  the  civil  distinctions  to  which  he  believed 
himself  now  entitled.  But  his  solicitude  for  preferment  not 
allowing  him  to  await  the  tardy  honors  which  his  fellow  settlers 


GUKEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 


of  the  New  Hampshire  party  might  be  inclined  to  bestow,  ho 
had  lately  turned  his  longing  eye  to  other  dispensers  of  these 
coveted  favors.  And  the  prayer  of  his  heart,  being  secretly 
made  known  in  the  right  quarter,  was  soon  answered  in  the  shape 
of  an  offer  of  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  from  the  govern 
ment  of  New  York.  Though  aware  of  the  dangerous  nature  of 
such  an  honor  to  an  inhabitant  of  the  Grants,  yet  the  temptation, 
which  was  now  set  before  him,  and  which,  indeed,  he  had  in 
directly  sought,  was  altogether  too  great  to  be  resisted;  and,  in 
an  evil  hour,  he  privately  accepted  the  office,  in  defiance  of  a 
decree  of  the  Convention  of  his  countrymen,  which  had  placed 
the  acceptance  of  such  an  office,  from  such  a  source,  by  a  settler, 
high  in  the  calendar  of  punishable  offences. 

To  the  tenement  of  this  aspiring  dignitary  we  will  now  take 
the  reader,  in  anticipation  of  other  visitors.  It  was  the  next 
morning  after  the  adventure  of  Warrington  and  his  friend,  the 
stout  stranger,  at  Captain  Hendee's;  and  the  dawning  light  wai 
just  beginning  to  appear  in  the  dapple  east.  The  freshly  made 
squire  was  already  awake,  reflecting  with  peculiar  inward  satis 
faction  on  the  honors  of  his  new  station,  as  he  lay  beside  his 
loving  rib  in  a  small  bed-room  adjoining  the  kitchen.  He  had 
only  the  night  before  received  his  commission,  and  his  heart  was 
full  of  the  pleasing  subject.  He  not  only  dwelt  on  the  present 
consequence  which  the  office  would  confer,  but  his  expanding 
thoughts  began  to  stretch  forward  to  the  future  ;  and  he  counted 
over  the  probabilities  of  his  advancing,  on  a  stepping  stone  like 
this,  to  much  higher  distinctions  under  a  government,  which,  he 
was  now  ready  to  believe  —  nay,  secretly  to  wish  —  would  soon 
exercise  the  entire  control  in  the  settlement. 

"  They  will  call  me  squire,  now,"  he  soliloquized,  half  aloud, 
'  '  and  once  squire,  always  squire  ;  so  I  shall  get  the  title,  let  what 
will  come  of  it." 

"Come  of  what,  Mr.  Prouty  ?  "  asked  his  helpmeet  with  a 
yawn,  awakening  just  in  time  to  catch  the  last  part  of  the  sen 
tence. 

"Why!  why  I  thought  you  was  asleep,  Polly.  Come  of  what, 
did  you  say?  Oh,  nothing  in  particular;  only  I  have  been 
thinking  over  things  a  little.  And  I'll  tell  you  what  it  is  —  there 
will  shortly  be  a  great  overturn  in  this  settlement,  There  will 
you  may  depend  on't." 

"  What,  the  Yorkers  get  the  upper  hand  ?  " 

"  Sartain  as  you  live,  Polly  1  " 


128  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"Then  where  will  go  the  title  to  our  farm  ?  That  was  what 
you  was  talking  to  yourself  about,  wan't  it  now  ? " 

"No,  it  wan't.  And  that  ain't  a  thing,  neither,  that  troubles 
me  a  might." 

"Why  not?" 

"Because  the  office  I  have  just  got  under  the  York  government 
I  consider  amounts  to  a  security  against  that.  And  if  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys  will  let  me  alone — but  I  don't  intend  they  shall 
know  about  my  office  yet  awhile." 

"  Yes,  but  what  good  will  it  do  you  to  be  a  justice,  if  you  can't 
be  squire  ? " 

"  Why,  what  does  the  woman  mean  ?  " 

"I  mean  if  you  darsent  let  folks  know,  so  as  to  call  you 
squire." 

"  Qh,  I  can  do  some  business,  even  now,  among  the  York 
party,  without  much  danger.  And  it  won't  be  long  before  all  that 
trouble  will  be  over:  For,  as  I  told  you,  there  is  about  to  be  a 
complete  overturn  here.  The  Yorkers  are  preparing  to  come  on 
with  a  strong  armed  force.  Now  don't  say  anything  to  the 
neighbors  about  this,  Polly,  as  I  had  it  in  confidence  from  Mr. 
Sherwood." 

"Oh,  did  you  ?  Well,  that  Mr.  Sherwood  is  a  complete  gen 
tleman — how  perlite  he  is !  Don't  you  think  so,  Mr.  Prouty  ?  " 

"Yes,  periite  enough,  forzino.  Well,  as  I  was  going  to  say, 
?.f  they  come  on,  Ethan  Allen,  Warrington,  and  Member  Baker, 
with  all  they  can  raise,  will  stand  no  fag  at  all  with  a  regular 
York  army.  And  all  who  stand  out  then  will  be  indicted  and 
informationed  against.  There  will  be  plenty  of  warrants  called 
for  about  those  days,  you  may  depend  on't.  And  I,  being  the 
only  government  justice  in  this  part  of  the  Grants,  shall  have  the 
making  of  them.  It  will  be  money  in  my  pocket,  I  tell  you,  Polly. 
And  then,  when  " — 

"Well,  I  hope  you  will  then  feel  like  getting  me  a  new  silk 
gownd.  You  know,  Mr.  Prouty,  that  my  white  dimoty  is  now 
the  only  dress  that  I  have  fit  to  see  company  in." 

"Oh,  fudge!" 

"I say  there  is  no  fudge  about  it,  now!  The  neighbors  call 
us  rich,  and  still  it  is  a  solemn  fact,  Mr.  Prouty,  and  I  don't 
care  who  knows  it,  that  you  dress  your  wife  a  great  deal  worse 
than  "— 

u  Well,  well,  don't  bother  me  now;  but  hear  what  I  was  com 
ing  at ;  When  the  York  government  gets  well  established  here. 


TIIE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  129 

as  it  will  be,  they  will  want  two  or  three  judges  in  this  quarter,  I 
guess,  and  I  being  the  only  one  in  all  this  section,  that  had  cour 
age  to  accept  the  office  of  justice  of  peace,  shouldn't  you  think, 
Polly,  they  would  kind  o'  naturally  hit  on  me  for  one  of  them  ?  " 

"  Why,  bless  me!  will  they  ?  So  they  will,  won't  they  ?  And 
then,  certainly,  Mr.  Prouty  " — 

"Hush?  hush!  I  hear  somebody  coming  up  to  the  door. 
Who  on  earth  can  they  be,  I  wonder,  that's  started  out  so 
early  ?  " 

A  smart  rapping  now  being  heard  at  the  door,  Justice  Prouty 
leaped  from  his  bed,  seized  his — inexpressibles,  modern  dandy 
ism  would  term  them,  we  suppose,  but  finding  no  authority  for 
believing  our  fathers  made  use  of  any  garment  the  appropriate 
appellation  of  which  they  considered  it  indecent  to  express,  we 
will  venture  to  call  things  by  their  right  names — seized  his 
breeches,  hurried  them  on,  together  with  the  other  parts  of  his 
outward  equipment,  and  emerged  into  the  kitchen,  after  having 
twice  gone  back,  at  his  wife's  hasty  and  imperious  call,  to  close, 
and  more  tightly  close,  the  door  behind  him.  After  the  customary 
"  walk  in,"  distinctly  pronounced  by  the  Squire,  the  door  was 
opened,  aad  two  men  entered,  both  unknown  to  the  former, 
though  not  so  to  those  who  have  followed  us  through  all  the 
different  scenes  of  the  preceding  pages  :  For,  in  the  striking  alti 
tude  of  one  of  the  visitants,  which  compelled  the  civility  of  bow 
ing,  nolens,  wlens,  as  he  entered  the  door,  like  a  boy  coming  into 
a  country  school,  and  in  the  comical  leer  of  his  countenance,  as 
with  one  eye  he  seemed  to  be  measuring  the  affectedly  dignified 
person  of  his  host,  while  the  other  was  busily  employed  in  taking 
an  inventory  of  the  various  articles  about  the  room,  the  reader  will 
find  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  our  jovial  friend,  Pete  Jones. 
The  other,  whose  dress  and  gentlemanly  bearing  formed  a  striking 
contrast  with  that  of  his  rustic  companion,  was  no  other  than  Sel- 
den,  who,  as  before  intimated,  having  arrived  the  previous  even 
ing,  had  volunteered  with  the  former  to  make  this  early  call  on  the 
justice,  to  procure  his  immediate  attendance  at  their  encampment 
in  the  woods. 

"Be  seated,  gentlemen,  pray  be  seated,"  said  the  Squire,  bus 
tling  about,  and  setting  chairs  for  his  guests  with  one  hand,  and 
finishing  the  buttoning  up  of  his  vest  with  the  other,  * '  make  your 
selves  comfortable — no  ceremony  here — just  turned  out,  you  see. 
Called  on  business,  I  take  it,  gentlemen  ?  "  he  added,  meaning 
official  business,  on  which  his  mind  was  still  running,  and  the 


130  THE    GRESN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

wish,    in  this  case,    as   often    happens,    proving    father    to    thd 
thought. 

"We  have,  sir,"  answered  Selden,  bowing  with  well  assumed 
respect.  "You  are  a  justice  of  the  peace  we  are  told  ?  " 

"Why,  as  to  that,  sir,"  replied  Prouty,  hesitating,  and  glancing 
with  a  doubtful  air,  alternately  at  Selden  and  his  companion, 
"perhaps  I  may  have  heard — that  is,  I  can't  sartainly  say,  but  1 
have  heard  that  I  was  appointed  to  the  office  ;  though  as  to  ac 
cepting — You  are  of  the  right  party,  I  trust,  gentlemen  ?  " 

"  We  certainly  think  we  are,  at  least,  sir,"  rejoined  the  former 
gravely. 

"  That's  as  true  as  preaching,  Squire,"  said  Pete;  "for  if  we 
aint  on  the  right  side,  I  would  give  my  old  jack-knife  to  know  who 
are." 

"All  right,  I  presume,  gentlemen;  but  rather  ticklish  times,  you 
know— thought  it  no  hurt  to  be  a  little  particular.  But  what  bus! 
ness  did  you  want  done  ?  No  harm  in  asking  that,  I  s'pose,  gentle 
men  ?  "  said  the  Squire,  adding  the  last  question  by  way  of  open 
ing  a  door  for  a  retreat,  should  one  be  necessary. 

"Oh,  no,"  replied  Selden,  "but  I  know  not  that  I  can  state 
precisely  the  nature  of  the  business  which  those,  who  sent  us  for 
you,  wish  done,  but  it  is  something,  I  believe,  that  they  think 
requires  your  presence." 

"  O,  ho,  not  to  be  done  here,  then,  gentlemen  ?  "  observed  the 
Squire,  a  little  doubtingly,  again, 

"  No,  sir,  the  place  is  several  miles  from  here,  I  should  think," 
responded  Selden  with  an  air  of  indifference. 

"Is  Mr.  Sherwood  there?  "  asked  the  Squire,  rather  anxiously. 

""I  believe  not,  Squire,  answered  Selden,  with  the  same  indiffer 
ence,  "  but  they  are  anxious  he  should  be,  and  hope  he  will  come 
before  closing  the  business." 

"  I'll  swear  to  that.  Squire,  said  Jones,  with  a  ludicrous  effort 
to  keep  mischief  from  showing  itself  in  his  countenance. 

"Aye,  all  right  then,  gentlemen,"  rejoined  the  Squire,  still  stu 
pidly  determined  to  understand  the  indefinite  and  evasive  lan 
guage  of  his  visitors,  in  the  way  that  his  wishes  pointed.  "  But  I 
thought  I  would  make  sure.  You,  sir,"  he  continued,  addressing 
Selden,  "  I  thought  from  the  first  glance  must  belong  to  the  right 
party.  This  other  gentleman,  here,  I  didn't  know  so  well  about, 
but  it  makes  no  difference  what  I  thought,  as  I  see  you  agree.  I 
will  attend  you,  gentlemen.  But  hadn't  we  better  stop  and  get 
some  breakfast  first  ?  " 


THE    GREEN    MO  VNTA  IN  BO  T8.  131 

"  Oh,  no,"  replied  Selden,  "they  expressly  told  us  to  come  on 
immediately,  and  the  folks  would  have  a  good  breakfast  prepared 
for  us  all,  by  the  time  we  could  arrive  there." 

Esquire  Prouty,  after  notifying  his  wife  of  his  intended  absence, 
now  signified  his  readiness  to  depart ;  when  all  three  set  forward  to 
wards  the  encampment  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  the  former  with 
out  further  question,  or  any  apparent  distrust,  putting  himself  under 
the  guidance  of  his  attendants.  And  wrapped  up  in  self  conse 
quence,  and  dreaming  only  of  the  important  figure  he  was  shortly 
to  make  in  the  first  exercise  of  his  new  vocation,  he  unhesitatingly 
followed  his  guides,  as  with  rapid  steps  they  silently  led  the  way, 
sometimes  proceeding  in  the  road,  sometimes  through  a  piece  of 
woods,  and  sometimes  through  open  fields.  At  length  they  reached 
the  border  of  the  dark,  continuous  forest,  within  which,  at  the 
distance  of  about  a  half  mile,  was  the  encampment  to  which  they 
were  destined ;  when  the  Squire,  now  for  the  first  time  hesitating, 
or  seeming  to  entertain  any  suspicion  that  they  were  taking  him  to 
a  less  agreeable  destination  than  he  had  anticipated,  paused  in  his 
steps,  and  threw  a  doubtful  and  apprehensive  glance  around 
him. 

"Never  mind,  Squire,"  cried  Jones,  who,  having  with  difficulty 
restrained  himself  from  giving  vent,  in  some  shape  or  other,  to 
the  secret  merriment  he  had  been  indulging  on  the  way,  at  the 
Squire's  credulity  in  suffering  himself  to  be  so  foolishly  lured 
from  home,  thought  it  would  now  do  to  begin  to  banter  the  obtuse 
justice  a  little,  "never  mind,  Squire,  you  needn't  look  so  streak 
ed — we  belong  to  the  right  party,  you  know." 

"Yes,  but  if  you  would  but  jest  inform  me,  gentlemen  " — said 
the  other  imploringly  and  with  visible  pertubation — "  only  jest 
inform  me  "— 

"Oh,  push  ahead,  man!"  interrupted  Jones,  who  purposely 
dropping  in  the  rear,  now  urged  on  the  reluctant  Squire  with  a 
show  of  pettish  impatience,  as  if  detained  by  excuses  too  frivo- 
]ous  to  merit  a  reply,  "push  ahead,  my  stomach  is  getting  fairly 
wolfish  for  that  breakfast.  I'll  be  blessed  if  I  don't  almost  think 
I  begin  to  smell  it  at  this  distance  !  " 

Somewhat  assured  by  the  other's  manner  of  treating  his  scru 
ples,  and,  though  not  quite  satisfied,  yet  feeling  a  little  ashamed 
of  his  fears,  the  Squire  now  passively  suffered  himself  to  be  con 
ducted  forward,  till,  reaching  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and 
turning  closely  round  a  projecting  ledge  of  rocks,  he  suddenly, 
dnd  to  his  utter  dismay,  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  a  group  of 


13S  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

sturdy  men,  whom,  from  their  appearance,  he  at  once  knew  to  be 
a  band  of  Green  Mountain  Boys.  Instantly  comprehending  the 
nature  of  their  business  with  him,  he  stopped  short,  and  stood 
confused,  and  trembling  in  mute  alarm  before  them.  Nor  were 
his  fears  at  all  diminished  by  the  array  of  well  known  names, 
which  his  conductor  the  next  moment  announced  by  way  of  in 
troduction,  the  ceremonies  of  which  the  latter  now  commenced 
performing  very  formally  with  these  nearest  at  hand. 

"Esquire  Prouty,  allow  me  to  present  you  to  Captain  Remem 
ber  Baker,"  began  Selden,  pompously  waving  his  hand  towards 
a  keen-eyed,  determined  looking  man,  who  stood  in  front  of  the 
others. 

The  confused  Squire  nodded  his  head  mechanically,  but  his 
tongue  refused  to  do  its  office,  except  by  a  half  articulated 
"How'd  do,  sir,"  as  he  heard  the  name  of  one  of  that  famous 
trio,  who  had  so  long  been  the  terror  of  the  New  York  author 
ities. 

"  Again,  Esquire  Prouty,  will  you  permit  me  the  pleasure  of 
presenting  you  to  Captain  Charles  "Warrington?  "  proceeded  Sel- 
don,  as  the  latter  advanced  to  favor  the  introduction. 

' '  Warrington  1 "  gasped  the  Squire,  with  increased  trepidation, 
"  Warrington  too !" 

"And  yet  once  more,"  continued  the  imperturbable  Lieutenant, 
beckoning  to  our  Herculean  hero  of  the  shag  coat,  who  figured 
so  conspicuously  at  Captain  Hendee's,  in  his  adventure  with  the 
soldiers  the  night  previous,  and  who  was  now  here  and  came  for 
ward  at  the  intimation,  "once  more,  Esquire  Prouty,  shall  I 
have  the  very  great  honor  of  introducing  you  to  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen?" 

' '  God  have  mercy  on  me !  "  involuntarily  burst  from  the  lips 
of  the  affrighted  justice,  as  the  announcement  of  the  last  name 
capped  the  climax  of  his  terror  and  despair,  "Oh,  God  have 
mercy !  I  am  a  lost  man !  " 

"Pooh!  you  cowardly  fool!  "  exclaimed  Allen,  with  a  look  of 
mingled  pity  and  contempt,  ' '  rouse  up.  and  bear  it  like  a  man, 
and  if  you  promise  no  more  to  betray  your  injured  and  bleeding 
country  by  becoming  the  tool  of  tyrants,  it  shall  go  the  lighter 
with  you.  At  all  events,  you  need  not  fear  that  you  will  be  pun 
ished  to  the  extent  of  half  your  deserts.  But  come,  boys,  set  on 
the  breakfast.  It  might  be  hazardous  to  our  prisoners,  the 
Squire  and  surveyor  here,  to  proceed  with  them,  with  the  in 
ward  man  in  so  ravenous  a  plight  ;  for  Hunger  and  Mercy  never 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  133 

got  near  enough  to  each  other  to  shake  hands  since  the  fall  of 
Adam.  And  even  the  awards  of  Justice  herself,  might  be  of 
questionable  rectitude,  if  made  under  the  irritations  of  an  empty 
stomach." 

The  breakfast,  which  consisted  of  a  plentiful  supply  of  roasted 
venison,  partridges,  and  other  small  game,  with  such  trimmings 
as  the  settlers  living  near,  and  in  the  secret  of  the  encampment, 
had  sent  in,  was  served  up  on  a  rude  kind  of  platform,  composed 
of  smooth  white  pieces  cleft  from  the  freely  rifting  bass  wood, 
and  supported  on  cross  pieces  laid  upon  forked  stakes,  or 
crotches,  as  they  are  usually  denominated  in  the  woodman's 
phrase.  Around  this  temporary  table,  benches  of  an  equally 
rude  construction  were  placed  sufficient  for  the  accommodation 
of  all  the  company,  including  the  prisoners,  now  consisting  of 
the  Squire,  the  surveyor,  and  his  assistant,  all  of  whom  were  re 
spectfully  shown  places  at  the  table.  The  meal  was  generally 
partaken  in  silence,  the  officers  seeming  to  fear  that  too  much 
sociability  might  have  a  tendency  to  unnerve  them  for  the  task 
on  hand,  and  the  men  respectfully  followed  the  example  of  their 
superiors,  with  the  exception  of  Pete  Jones,  who  could  not  for 
bear  occasionally  throwing  a  sly  joke  at  the  chop-fallen  Squire. 

"  Now  gentlemen,  for  business,"  said  Allen,  rising  from  the 
table  the  moment  their  meal  was  finished,  as  ominously  knitting 
his  dark,  heavy  brows,  he  pulled  from  his  pocket,  and  in  aloud 
commanding  voice,  commenced  reading  a  decree  of  the  Conven 
tion,  forbidding  "Each  and  all  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants,  to  hold,  take,  or  accept,  any  office  of  honor  or 
profit  under  the  colony  of  New  York  " — and  requiring  "  All  officers, 
and  others,  acting  under  the  Governor  or  Legislature  of  that  province, 
to  suspend  their  functions,  on  pain  of  being  viewed."  He  then  pro 
duced  a  letter  from  a  secret  agent  of  the  settlers  at  Albany, 
giving  the  date  of  Proutj's  commission,  and  enclosing  a  letter 
from  the  Squire  himself,  accepting  the  office  in  question.  He 
also  sent  a  copy  of  a  notice  sent  some  weeks  previous  to  the  sur 
veyor,  warning  him  to  quit  the  Grants  without  delay. 

"And  now  what  have  ye  to  say?"  sternly  demanded  Allen, 
turning  to  the  prisoners  as  soon  as  he  had  finished  reading  the 
documents:  "What  have  ye  to  say,  ye  minions  of  York,  why 
ye  should  not  be  viewed,  to  the  full  extent  and  meaning  of  the 
decree,  made  and  provided  for  the  like  of  ye  ?  " 

Quailing  under  the  withering  gaze  of  Allen,  the  justk-e  could 
not  master  courage  to  lift  his  head,  or  utter  ?.  single  word  in 


134  THE    GREEN    MO  UN  TAIN  EO  YS. 

reply.  But  the  surveyor,  who  was  a  man  of  more  firmness,  and 
bore  himself  quite  collectedly  on  the  occasion,  attempted  an  argu 
ment  with  the  leader  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  denying  all 
right  of  the  settlers  to  arrest  him,  protesting  against  being  tried 
by  any  but  a  court  acting  under  the  authority  of  New  York,  and 
appealing  to  that  authority  for  his  justification. 

"The  authority  of  New  York!"  scornfully  exclaimed  th» 
other,  "  appeal  to  the  authority  of  New  York!  Why  not  appeal, 
at  once,  to  tJie  chancery  of  hell,  the  fountain  head  of  that  stream 
of  corruption  which  comes  to  us  under  the  name  of  New  York 
law  and  justice  ?  We,  sir,  we,  the  poor  and  insufferably  abused 
settlers  of  these  Grants,  have  often  appealed  to  that  source  of 
justice — appealed  for  protection  against  the  lawless  aggressions 
of  your  cormorant  speculators,  who  have  attempted  to  wrest  from 
us  our  rightful  possessions,  to  seize,  with  the  grasp  of  plunderers, 
our  hard  earned  pittances,  and  turn  us  out,  houseless  and  desti 
tute,  into  the  wilderness.  But  we  have  appealed  in  vain,  and 
only  to  learn  our,  own  folly  in  expecting  that  sin  would  ever  be 
rebuked  by  Satan.  No,  sir,  we  will  suffer  no  such  appeal,  but 
will  ourselves  give  you  a  conclusive  judgment  in  the  premises; 
and  such  an  one,  too,  as  shall  give  you  the  wages  of  your  iniqui 
ties.  What  say  you,  my  merry  mountaineers  ? " 

As  soon  as  the  hearty,  but  variously  expressed  responses,  by 
which  the  men  testified  their  approbation  of  the  remarks  of  their 
leader,  were  over,  Baker,  Warrington,  and  Selden,  who  during 
the  discussion,  had  been  engaged  in  a  low  conversation  apart  from 
the  rest,  beckoned  Allen  to  approach  them.  Thevlatter,  obeying 
the  intimation,  advanced,  and,  after  listening  attentively  awhile 
to  some  proposal  or  plan,  which  the  others  appeared  to  be  impart 
ing  to  him,  snapped  his  fingers  with  delight,  and  exclaimed : 

u  Capital!  capital,  by  Jupiter!  "  he  repeated,  bringing  down  his 
huge  palm  upon  the  snugly  fitting  buckskin,  covering  his  broad 
thigh,  with  a  slap  that  echoed  through  the  woods  like  the  report 
of  a  pistol.  '"Member,  you  shall  announce  it  to  them,  and  I 
will  see  that  it  is  carried  into  execution." 

Baker,  accordingly  stepped  forward  and  addressing  the  sur- 
reyor,  gravely  informed  him,  that  it  had  been  determined  to 
accede  to  the  wish  he  had  expressed,  of  being  tried,  if  he  was  to 
be  tried  at  all,  by  a  court  of  his  own  colony.  And  that  Justice 
Prouty,  who  had  lately  been  commissioned  by  the  government  of 
New  York,  would  therefore  now  immediately  proceed  with  the 
trial. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  135 

"Oh,  gentleman,  oh,  sir!"  began  Prouty,  beseechingly,  as 
Allen  now  came  forward  to  attend  to  the  part  he  had  proposed  to 
assume  in  the  business. 

"  Now  don't  Justice  Prouty,"  interrupted  Selden,  with  provok 
ing  irony,  "  don't  I  beg  of  you,  suffer  your  diffidence  to  deprive 
us  of  the  aid  of  your  acknowledged  abilities  in  this  important 
case.  Having  had  the  honor  of  introducing  you  to  this  company, 
I  am  very  anxious  that  you  should  acquit  yourself  creditably  on 
the  occasion." 

"Yes,  sir,  but  then  my  situation  "—again  began  to  expostu-  ( 
late  the  troubled  justice. 

"Come,  your  worship,"  interrupted  Allen,  with  a  spice  of  the 
comic  mingled  with  the  determined  expression  of  his  counte 
nance,  "  you  are  to  try,  and  to  sentence  this  York  interloper,  and 
no  two  ways  about  it,  neither,  I  will  swear  to  you.  There!  "  he 
continued,  seizing  the  reluctant  and  trembling  Squire,  with  one 
hand  grasping  the  seat  of  his  breeches,  and  the  other  his  collar, 
and  lifting  and  placing  him  on  the  side  of  the  platform,  with  the 
appararent  ease  of  one  handling  an  infant :  * '  There !  sit  on  the 
edge  of  this  table,  for  a  King's  Bench.  You  did  not  think  to 
arrive  to  that  honor  so  soon,  did  you,  Squire  ?  " 

"  Now,  Squire,"  said  Peter  Jones,  with  one  of  his  mischevious 
looks,  "  May  I  be  eternally  happy,  if  I  don't  think  you  a  consider 
able  dabster  of  a  prophet !  Don't  you  see  how  cute  it  is  all  com 
ing  to  pass  what  you  told  your  old  woman  this  morning  about 
youi  getting  to  be  a  judge  soon  ?  Though  I  must  axe  your  par 
don,  Squire,  for  listening  under  your  bed-room  window  a  little, 
before  we  rapped  to  come  in." 

"Well,  is  the  court  ready  to  proceed?"  said  Allen;  "Now 
for  my  opening,  as  the  lawyers  say — I  am  for  the  prosecution, 
recollect." 

"Now  I  do  protest— I  beseech  you,  sir  "—once  more  began  to 
stammer  the  confused  and  dreadfully  perplexed  justice. 

"  Shut  up,  sir!  "  fiercely  exclaimed  Allen.  "  Hell  and  Furies! 
who  ever  heard  of  a  court  before  so  despotic  as  to  refuse  to  hear 
the  statements  of  counsel  ?  No,  no,  Mr.  Court,  that  will  never 
do,  so  now  hear  me." 

The  Squire,  thus  awed  into  silence,  hung  his  head,  and  sat  aa 
still  as  his  agitation  would  permit,  while  the  other  produced, 
and  again  read  the  documents  by  which  he  had  first  introduced 
the  subject;  and,  after  briefly  summing  up  the  evidence,  de- 


136  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

manded  that  a  sentence  be  imposed  upon  the  surveyor  of  forty 
lashes  of  the  beech  rod. 

"  I  dispute  the  authority  of  your  pretended  Convention,  and  1 
protest  against  the  whole  of  these  proceedings  as  illegal  and  riot 
ous,"  exclaimed  the  surveyor,  with  considerable  spirit. 

"Well,  very  well,  sir,"  said  Allen,  with  the  utmost  compo 
sure;  "  you  have  had  your  say,  and  made  your  defence,  as  you 
had  an  undoubted  right  to  do.  I  am  always  for  liberty  of  speech 
when  a  man  has  really  anything  to  say,  and  also  for  allowing  a 
fair  hearing  in  all  cases,  though  that  is  more  than  your  infernal 
York  tribunals  will  permit,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten.  But  let 
us  now  attend  to  the  decision  of  the  court.  Boys,  you  may  as 
well  be  getting  a  brace  of  genteel  beech-sealers ;  for  I  feel  very 
confident  of  a  decision  in  my  favor.  Now,  Mr.  Justice,  proceed 
with  your  sentence.  Forty  stripes,  with  a  green  beech  rod,  is  all 
I  claim,  recollect — quite  moderate,  certainly ;  but  it  is  always 
best  to  lean  towards  the  side  of  mercy.  Proceed,  sir!  " 

"Any  thing  else,  gentleman,"  groaned  the  distressed  Squire, 
"  I  will  do  any  thing  else  you  say.  But  this,  now,  I  cannot,  and 
dare  not  do." 

"  Hark'ee,  Mr.  Court,"  rejoined  the  other,  placing  his  arms 
akimbo,  and  looking  at  the  justice  with  the  air  of  one  resolved 
to  have  no  more  words  on  the  subject,  "  a  sentence  out  of  you  I 
will  have,  as  sure  as  the  devil  delays  his  coming 'for  your  soul 
long  enough  for  you  to  pronounce  it.  Will  you  proceed,  sir  ?  No 
answer,  eh?  Well,  we  will  soon  see  whether  Ethan  Allen  has 
got  to  eat  his  own  words,  or  not.  Jones,  bring  me  that  surveyor's 
chain  in  the  camp,  there." 

Allen,  taking  out  his  pocket  handkerchief,  very  deliberately 
made  a  slip  noose,  and  adjusted  it  round  the  neck  of  the  trem 
bling  Squire.  He  next  carefully  tied  the  tail  of  this  noose  to  oue 
end  of  the  chain,  throwing  the  other  end,  at  the  same  time,  over 
the  large  limb  of  a  tree,  which  projected  directly  over  their 
"leads,  at  the  height  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground. 

"There,  Jones,  catch  that  end,  and  just  straighten  her  out  a 
little,"  he  observed,  with  a  cool,  business-like  air,  "  I  have  heard 
say  that  hanging  was  intended  to  briug  about  justice.  Let  us 
see  if  a  little  of  it  won't  have  that  effect  in  the  present  instance." 

Obeying  with  mischievous  alacrity,  Pete,  now  running  the 
chain  rapidly  over  the  limb,  brought  it  up  just  "taut  enough," 
to  use  a  sea  phrase,  to  make  the  noose  sensibly  felt  by  the  Squire ; 
upon  which  the  latter,  staring  and  glaring  wildly  around,  as  a 


TUB    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS.  137 

slight  sense  of  suffocation  came  over  him,  leaped  upon  his  feet, 
and  stood  upright.  This  shift,  however,  afforded  him  but  a  mo 
mentary  relief  :  For  Jones,  quickly  followed  up  the  movement, 
straightening  the  chain  with  a  jerk  that  brought  the  victim  on  to 
his  toes;  in  which  position,  grappling  the  chain  above  his  head 
with  both  hands,  and  begging,  like  a  half  whipped  school  boy, 
for  mercy,  he  was  suffered  to  remain  a  moment,  to  give  him  one 
more  opportunity  of  complying  with  the  requisition  which  had 
been  made  upon  him. 

"  Your  last  chance  of  salvation!"  exclaimed  the  leader,  in  a 
tone  that  testified  his  growing  impatience  at  the  man's  obsti 
nacy.  "You  will  comply  in  one  moment  more,  or,  by  the 
horned  Lucifer,  the  next  shall  find  you  dangling  within  a  yard 
of  yonder  limb !  " 

"  Now  I  would,  gentlemen,  sartainly  would  if  " — again  began 
to  splutter  the  struggling,  though  yet  unconquered  Squire. 

"  String  him  up,  Jones! "  cried  Allen,  with  startling  energy. 

The  next  instant  the  body  of  the  poor  justice  was  spinning 
round  on  one  toe,  with  the  tip  of  which  he  was  barely  able  to 
touch  the  platform. 

"  Oh !  I'm  choking!  "  screeched  the  now  really  suffering  wretch, 
"  Oh !  ugh !  ugh !  ugh !  I  will— will— I'll  do  it !  " 

u  Ease  away  there,  Jones! "  said  Allen,  "he  has  come  to  his 
senses  at  last,  and  I  think  there  will  be  no  further  trouble ;  so 
you  may  give  him  full  play  now." 

After  being  again  questioned  as  to  the  reality  of  his  intentions 
to  proceed  with  the  required  task,  the  subdued  Squire  was  let 
fully  down,  and  permitted  to  stand  at  ease  on  the  platform; 
when,  as  soon  as  he  had  recovered  his  breath  and  composure 
sufficiently  to  allow  him  to  speak,  he  mumbled  off  the  sentence, 
which  he  had  run  such  risks  to  avoid  pronouncing. 

"Now,  Mr.  Court,"  said  Allen,  with  a  slightly  roguish  curl  of 
the  lip,  "  as  you  have  been  brought  to  a  sense  of  your  duty,  and 
given  the  sentence  which  justice  required  of  you,  it  is  no  doubt 
incumbent  on  you,  sir,  to  see  it  executed.  And,  as  all  my  men 
here  stand  sworn  never  to  execute  any  sentence  of  a  York  mag 
istrate,  it  follows,  of  course,  that  you  must  be  the  executioner 
yourself,  in  the  present  case;  so  now  dismount,  sir,  if  you  please, 
take  this  rod,  and,  after  I  have  unnoosed  you  of  this  marvellous 
prompter  of  justice,"  he  continued,  taking  off  the  noose,  and  plac 
ing  a  beechen  rod  in  the  hands  of  the  other,  you  will  proceed  to 
apply  it  in  a  way  that  shall  show  the  sincerity  of  what  you  have. 


138  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOFS. 

just  said  and  done.  Boys,  you  may  now  take  off  the  surveyor's 
coat,  and  then  form  a  ring,  with  a  few  switches  in  your  hands,  if 
you  will,  to  see  that  justice  is  duly  administered  on  the  occasion. 
There,  that  will  do.  Well,  Squire,  we  are  now  ready  to  proceed— 
what !  hesitating  again  !  Jones,  seize  the  end  of  that  chain,  there, 
and  be  ready,  while  I  replace  the  noose." 

But  Prouty,  having  had  quite  as  many  of  such  promptings  as 
he  felt  willing  to  receive,  did  not  wait  to  be  noosed  again,  but 
lifting  the  rod,  moved  forward,  as  if  ready  to  perform  the  required 
task,  without  .farther  resistance.  Allen  then  advanced  and  threw 
another  rod  down  at  the  feet  of  the  surveyor,  gravely  observ 
ing— 

"There,  Mr.  Surveyor,  supposing  from  what  you  have  thrown 
out  here,  that  you  think  the  court  have  sentenced  you  unjustly, 
we  have  concluded  that,  while  he  is  executing  the  sentence  on 
you,  we  will  give  you  a  chance  to  avenge  the  injury.  You  have 
therefore  our  free  and  full  permission  to  return  blow  for  blow 
through  the  whole  of  it.  Indeed,  sir,  I  should  rather  advise  you 
to  do  it ;  for  our  boys  here,  who  are  great  sticklers  for  fair  play, 
may  take  it  into  their  heads,  perhaps,  to  say  that  it  would  be 
unjust  for  one  Yorker  to  receive  all  the  honors  of  the  day,  with 
out  imparting  an  equitable  share  to  his  fellow.  And  in  case  you 
should  neglect  to  do  what  they  think  is  about  right,  I  know  not 
what  may  happen  to  you.  And  now,  Mr.  Justice, "he continued, 
turning  sternly  to  Prouty,  "Now,  Mr.  Justice,  be  lively,  and 
with  the  fear  of  God  and  Ethan  Allen  before  your  eyes,  lay  on, 
air!" 

It  would  be  difficult  to  conceive  any  thing  more  strangely 
ludicrous,  than  the  scene  that  followed.  The  reluctant  Squire, 
daring  no  longer  to  delay,  now  gave  two  or  three  faint  and  harm 
less  blows  across  the  legs  of  the  surveyor ;  when  he  was  admon 
ished  by  Allen,  in  a  tone  which  experience  had  taught  him  pretty 
well  how  to  interpret,  to  lay  on  more  seriously.  Spurred  up  by 
his  fears,  the  justice  then  began  to  administer  the  applications  of 
his  rod  with  about  that  medium  degree  of  violence,  which,  pro 
ducing  all  the  smart  of  heavier  blows  without  the  benumbing 
antidote  of  bruising,  is  always  far  more  irritating,  and  is  generally, 
perhaps,  even  more  intensely  painful  to  the  victim  than  blows  of 
double  the  severity.  At  all  events,  the  Squire's  applications  soon 
produced  a  very  visible  effect  on  the  surveyor,  who,  till  this  stage 
of  the  business,  had  stood  eyeing  the  proceedings  in  dogged 
silence.  But  now  leaping  about,  and  being  no  longer  able  to 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  13 J 

stand  the  pain  which  the  Squire's  applications  began  to  impart, 
he  hastily  caught  up  the  rod  at  his  feet,  and,  swearing  with  spite 
ful  bitterness,  that  he  would  put  it  on,  to  punish  the  other  foi 
suffering  himself  to  become  the  tool  of  a  mob,  gave  back  the 
blows  with  so  much  interest  that  it  soon  roused  in  turn  the  ire  of 
the  justice,  who,  now  beginning  to  dance  to  the  same  tune,  and 
from  the  same  cause  which  had  put  his  opponent  in  motion,  fell 
to,  and  laid  on  in  good  earnest.  Becoming  thus  mutually  incensed, 
and  the  auger  of  each  rapidly  kindling  at  the  increased  pain  of 
his  adversary's  applications,  every  blow  of  the  one  was  followed 
by  a  heavier  blow  from  the  other.  And,  the  blows  falling  heavier 
and  thicker  every  instant,  it  soon  grew  into  one  of  the  most  severe 
and  furious  flagellations  ever  witnessed  in  the  settlement,  and 
one  that  was  amply  satisfactory  to  our  band  of  Green  Mountain 
Boys,  who  stood  by,  sending  forth  shout  after  shout,  and  peal 
after  peal  of  laughter,  that  fairly  shook  the  slumbering  wilder 
ness  with  the  deafening  reverberations.  And  so  deeply  engaged 
had  become  these  accustomed  dignitaries  in  administering  to  each 
other  this  whimsically  conceived,  and  queerly  conducted  punish 
ment,  that  it  was  not  till  they  had  exceeded  the  prescribed  num 
ber  of  stripes  by  nearly  a  dozen,  that  either  of  them  thought  of 
yielding.  Prouty,  however,  being  of  a  less  obstinate  disposition, 
and  possessing  less  nerve  than  the  other,  at  length  gave  over, 
and  cried  lustily  for  quarter,  which,  even  then,  so  implacable  had 
the  surveyor  become,  was  only  granted  him  on  the  interposition 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys. 

"Well,  Squire,"  said  Jones,  the  only  man  who  seemed  disposed 
to  make  any  comments  at  the  close  of  this  curious  scene,  "  don't 
you  think  these  Yorkers  most  cruel  bloody  fellows  ?  Ah !  jest  as 
I  told  you,  Squire,  we  belong  to  the  right  party." 

The  business  of  the  morning  having  been  thus  brought  to  a 
close,  Justice  Prouty,  with  an  admonition  to  go  and  learn  wisdom 
from  folly,  was  released  and  sent  home.  The  surveyor's  instru 
ments  were  next  broken  to  pieces  by  Allen,  and  the  fragments 
hurled  into  the  bushes.  The  surveyor  himself,  with  his  assistant, 
who  had  not  been  considered  of  public  consequence  enough  to 
be  punished,  was  then  put  in  charge  of  Jones  and  Brown,  who 
were  ordered  to  escort  them  to  the  New  York  line,  and  there 
leave  them. 

Within  half  an  hour  from  the  departure  of  the  prisoners,  the 
encampment  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  under  Snake  Mountain 
was  broken  up,  and  the  place  deserted,  the  different  individuals 


140  THE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

composing  the  band,  after  a  brief  consultation,  having  been  dis 
patched  by  their  enterprising  and  impetuous  leader,  in  various 
directions,  on  secret  business  connected  with  the  important 
events  which  were  in  train,  and  the  new  and  untried  scenes  which 
were  now  soon  to  follow. 


CHAPTEK  XTV. 


"  Strong  hands  in  harvest,  daring  feet  in  chase, 
True  hearts  in  fight,  were  gathered  in  that  place 
Of  secret  council." 


IF  there  is  a  town  in  Vermont  whose  first  set  of  inhabitants 
deserved  the  appellation  of  high-minded  and  worthy,  it  was  the 
early  settlers  of  Middlebury.  Distinguished,  from  their  first 
pitch  on  the  fertile  banks  of  the  Otter,  for  enterprise,  firmness 
and  intelligence,  they  were  among  the  foremost  to  resist  the 
aggressions  of  a  government,  which,  unwittingly,  perhaps,  had 
lent  itself  to  aid  the  unprincipled  schemes  of  a  few  rapacious 
land  speculators;  while  the  opening  scenes  of  our  revolution 
found  them  ready  to  engage,  with  the  same  alacrity,  and  with 
the  best  of  their  means  in  the  greater  work  of  achieving  the  in 
dependence  of  their  whole  country.  And  scarcely  had  the  storm 
of  war  passed  over,  and  the  sun-light  of  peace  began  to  break  in 
on  their  infant  settlement,  before  they  united,  with  a  zeal  as  ex 
traordinary,  considering  their  circumstances  and  means,  as  it  was 
commendable,  in  rearing,  by  private  munificence  alone,  a  col 
legiate  institution  which  for  many  succeeding  yeais  did  more, 
probably,  towards  elevating  the  moral  and  literary  character  of 
Vermont,  than  any  one  cause  operating  within  her  borders.  And 
her  alumni,  now  many  of  them  in  eminence  at  the  bar,  and  in 
the  pulpit,  and  found  gracing  not  only  every  station  in  their  own 
favored  country,  from  the  humble  school  room,  to  the  senate 
chamber  of  the  nation,  but  nobly  dispensing  her  light  among  the 
people  of  every  clime  upon  the  face  of  the  broad  earth,  whither, 
in  the  fearless  and  enterprising  spirit  of  their  fathers,  they  have 
scattered  themselves, — now  to  teach  the  arts  to  the  boorish 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  141 

or  besotted  Turk,  now  to  assist  the  enslaved  Greek,  or  South 
American,  in  his  struggles  for  freedom,  and  now  to  rear  the 
standard  of  the  Cross  among  the  degraded  pagans  of  the  East — 
her  grateful  alumni,  often,  often  turn  back,  in  fancy,  to  their 
beloved  Alma  Mater, 

u  To  linger  delighted  o'er  scenes  recall'd  there," 

and  admire,  and  bless  the  noble  and  self-sacrificing  spirit  of 
Painter,  Chipman,  Storrs,  and  others  of  her  munificent  founders, 
who  made  themselves  poor  in  pecuniary  estate,  that  the  children 
of  their  country  might  become  rich  in  knowledge. 

With  these  remarks,  suggested  by  the  location  of  the  scene 
about  to  be  described,  and  their  expression  here  prompted  by  the 
personal  interest  which  the  writer  of  these  unworthy  pages  must 
ever  feel  in  that  institution,  in  which  he  was  taught  at  once  his 
weakness  and  his  strength,  and  to  which  he  is  mainly  indebted 
for  the  schooling  and  chastening  of  a  wild  and  untutored  imagi 
nation,  and  for  the  formation  of  whatever  mental  character  he 
may  possess  ;  with  these  remarks,  we  say,  let  us  now  proceed  in 
the  narration  of  our  story. 

Could  one  of  the  fabled  scenes  drawn  by  the  immortal  Homer 
have  been  so  far  realised,  on  the  4th  of  May,  1775,  that  Mars, 
the  supposed  supervisor  of  every  military  enterprise,  had  sat  in 
his  cloud  begirt  chariot  over  that  tract  of  country  lying  between 
Lake  Champlain  and  the  Green  Mountains,  to  take  note  of  what 
ever  in  his  line  of  business  might  be  on  foot  below,  he  might 
have  perceived,  on  looking  down  from  his  lofty  car,  near  the  close 
of  that  day,  movements  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  particular 
section  just  named,  so  simultaneous,  and  yet  so  apparently  uncon 
certed,  that  even  his  godship,  himself,  unless  previously  in  the 
secret,  would  have  been  sadly  puzzled  to  decide  in  what  manner 
to  account  for  them.  Nearly  every  man  could  have  been  seen 
leaving  his  home  for  some  point  not  far  to  the  south  of  those  falls 
on  Otter  Creek,  around  which  the  flourishing  village  of  Middlebury 
now  stands.  Though  all  would  have  seemed  gradually  centering 
to  this  spot,  yet  this  would  have  been  the  only  point  of  agree 
ment  discoverable  in  their  movements,  or  apparent  objects. — 
Some  carried  axes  on  their  shoulders,  some  hoes,  or  other  imple 
ments  of  husbandry,  and  some  had  guns,  with  which  they  ap 
peared  to  be  amusing  themselves,  as  they  passed  along,  by  shoot 
ing  squirrels,  or  whatever  small  game  might  fall  in  their  way. 
in  no  instance,  were  two  men  seen  traveling  together;  and, 


142  THE    GREEfl    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

if  by  chance  any  two  happened  to  come  across  each  other,  they 
immediately  separated,  one  stopping  till  the  other  had  passed  out 
of  sight,  or  both  diverging  into  different,  though  parallel  routes. 
The  exact  point  of  their  concentration  was  at  length  seen  to  be 
an  opening  in  the  wilderness,  on  a  gentle  swell  of  land,  command 
ing  a  view  of  the  devious  Otter  from  its  western  side.  Near- 
the  centre  of  this  opening  stood  a  log  house  tenanted  by  a  hardy 
and  enterprising  settler,  a  confidential  friend  of  the  master  spirit 
of  this  clandestine  gathering.  A  barn  also  of  the  same  construe 
tion,  and  of  dimensions  ample  enough  to  hold  half  a  regiment  \ 
within  its  walls,  was  standing  some  rods  in  the  rear  of  the  house. 
This  huge  fabric,  as  it  finally  appeared,  had  been  selected,  both 
on  account  of  its  size,  and  the  central  position  which  it  occupied 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  Grants,  for  the  approaching  meeting 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  And  as  the  shades  of  evening 
began  to  gather  over  the  wilderness,  and  individual  objects  grew 
indistinct  to  the  view,  many  a  dark  form  might  be  discovered 
emerging,  one  by  one,  from  every  point  of  the  surrounding  woods 
and  stealthily  taking  their  way  in  silence  towards  the  building 
appointed  for  their  rendezvous. 

But  leaving  this  company  to  finish  their  noiseless  gathering, 
we  will  now  recur  to  note  the  adventures  of  one  of  our  heroes 
on  his  way  to  the  scene  of  action.  We  speak  in  the  plural  here, 
as  we  do  not  pretend  to  fix  on  any  one  of  the  several  leading 
personages  of  our  story  as  the  particular  hero  of  the  work. — 
But  should  the  reader  deem  such  an  one  to  be  essential  in  the 
performance,  we  leave  him  to  make  his  own  selection  from  all 
the  characters  we  have  introduced — a  privilege  to  the  reader, 
which,  we  trust,  will  prevent  any  question  in  his  mind  whether 
the  author  himself  has  selected  the  one  for  this  honor  who  is  the 
most  worthy  of  the  appellation:  and  a  privilege  too,  that  we  the 
more  freely  accord,  since  we  have  often  wished  for  the  same 
favor  ourselves,  while  reading  works  of  this  kind,  and  bored 
with  the  everlasting  recurrence  of  "our  Aero,"  applied,  notunfre- 
quently,  to  the  worst  drawn,  and  by  far  the  most  spiritless  char 
acter  in  the  book. 

After  the  separation  of  our  band  in  the  morning,  the  leaders, 
as  before  intimated,  were  actively  engaged  through  a  good  part 
of  the  day  in  calling  upon  the  settlers  to  sound  their  views  and 
feelings  in  regard  to  the  approaching  struggle  between  the  colo 
nies  and  mother  country,  and  to  apprise  them,  if  found  right  in 
sentiments,  and  ripe  for  action,  as  was  generally  the  case,  of  the 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  143 

contemplated  meeting,  and  the  precautions  deemed  important  to 
be  observed  in  conducting  it. 

Warrington,  having  performed  the  task  allotted  to  him  as  hii 
share  of  the  delicate,  and  sometimes  difficult  duty,  set  out,  late 
in  the  afternoon,  for  the  appointed  rendezvous  of  the  evening. 
After  leaving  the  vicinity  of  the  lake,  to  the  borders  of  which 
his  duties  had  been  principally  confined,  he  soon  entered  the 
woods,  and  having  decided  on  the  course  to  be  taken,  proceeded 
onward  with  a  rapid  step  several  miles  towards  his  destination 
without  pausing.  But  at  length  feeling  somewhat  wearied  with 
the  exertions  of  the  day,  he  sat  down  to  rest  him,  for  a  few  mo 
ments,  on  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree,  and  was  dreamily  running 
over  in  his  rnind  the  singular  events  of  the  past  few  days,  when 
his  attention  was  arrested  by  a  clicking  sound,  resembling  that 
which  attends  the  cocking  of  a  musket.  "While  looking  around 
him  in  doubt  whether  his  senses  had  not  deceived  him,  in  respect 
to  the  impression  they  conveyed  of  the  sound,  he  distinctly  heard 
the  snapping  of  a  fire-lock  in  a  thicket  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  spot  he  occupied.  Springing  upon  his  feet,  he  brought  his 
own  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  and,  stepping  behind  a  tree,  awaited  in 
sijeuce  the  result,  which,  he  supposed,  whatever  the  cause  of  the 
movement,  would  soon  be  disclosed.  But  hearing  nothing  f  urther, 
and  concluding  that  the  sound  came  from  some  hunter,  who, 
having  gained  sight  of  game,  and  snapping  his  piece  at  it,  had 
noiselessly  crept  off  after  it  in  another  direction,  he  thought,  but 
little  more  on  the  subject  at  this  time,  and  soon  leisurely  proceeded 
on  his  way.  The  walk  of  half  a  mile  now  brought  him  to  that 
dead  and  desolate  stream,  whose  name,  at  the  present  day, 
"Lemon  Fair,"  has  so  often  proved  a  puzzler  to  the  stranger 
traversing  this  section  of  the  country,  and  led  him  to  ask  the 
cause  of  so  singular  an  appellation.  The  explanation  that  fol 
lows,  however,  reconciles  the  apparent  incongruity  in  a  way  as 
simple  and  curious  as  it  is  generally  unexpected.  And  the  en 
quirer  is  soon  enabled  to  trace  this  before  unaccountable  name, 
from  "  Lemon  Fair, "  through  "Lainen  Fair,"  to  the  lamentable 
affair  !  which  is  said  to  have  burst  from  the  agonized  bosom  of  a 
traveler,  who  once,  in  attempting  to  ford  the  stream,  was  doomed 
to  the  pain  of  witnessing  his  noble  steed  become  inextricably 
mired,  and,  sinking  deeper  and  deeper  at  every  effort  to  clear 
himself,  finally  disappear  with  fearful  death-struggles,  in  the  bot 
tomless  quags  of  this  Styx  of  Yermontanc  rivers.  Warrington 
here  paused  to  note  the  air  of  peculiar  dreariness  and  gloom,  which 


144  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

even  at  this  day,  seems  to  brood  over  this  paradise  of  eels  and 
owls — the  former  finding  their  Elysium  in  the  stagnant,  muddy 
and  root-tangled  pools  of  the  stream,  and  the  latter  on  the  decayed 
limbs  of  the  long  colonnade  of  dead  and  leafless  trees  lining  the 
banks,  where  they  sit  moping  and  gloating  over  their  inexhausti 
ble  storehouse  of  countless  reptiles  swarming  in  the  dark  and  tur 
bid  waters  beneath.  And  while  standing  upon  the  banks  of  this 
stream,  with  his  mind  thus  engrossed,  he  was  startled  by  the  sharp 
report  of  a  rifle,  bursting  from  a  fallen  tree-top  on  a  knoll  at  the 
distance  of  some  eight  or  ten  rods  behind  him;  while  at  the  same 
instant,  a  bullet,  passing  through  his  coat  between  his  arm  and 
body,  struck  and  buried  itself  on  the  dry  and  barkless  surface  of  a 
tree,  standing  a  few  yards  before  him.  Whirling  suddenly  round 
towards  the  covert  from  which  the  shot  issued,  as  now  plainly  in 
dicated  by  a  light  cloud  of  diffusing  smoke,  he  again  quickly 
brought  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  and  stood  for  a  few  seconds 
straining  his  vision  for  a  sight  of  the  invisible  foe.  But  being  un 
able  to  discover  any  object  with  such  certainty  as  would  justify 
his  returning  the  fire,  he  suddenly  changed  his  purpose,  and  leaped 
forward  with  all  possible  speed  towards  the  place.  In  one  mo 
ment  he  stood  on  the  spot  just  occupied  by  his  dastard  assailant, 
ivhen  he  succeeded  in  catching  a  glimpse  of  a  dark  form  rapidly 
retreating  over  another  swell  into  a  thick  and  tangled  swamp. 
His  first  impulse  was  to  recommence  the  pursuit;  but  a  second 
thought  told  him  that  it  would  probably  be  in  vain,  while  it  use 
lessly  exposed  him  to  the  hazard  of  another  shot  of  his  enemy  from 
some  concealment,  which  he  would  have  time  to  gain  unperceived. 
He  therefore  reluctantly  turned  and  retraced  his  steps  to  the  stream 
he  had  just  left. 

From  the  form  and  motions  of  the  assassin,  although  in  a  dis 
guised  dress,  Warrington  was  but  little  at  loss  in  identifying  him 
with  Darrow,  whom  he  had  twice  met  and  as  often  frustrated  in 
his  base,  or,  to  say  the  least,  very  questionable  designs.  And 
coupling  the  improbability  that  the  fellow  was  acting  from  his 
own  promptings  in  his  murderous  attempt,  with  the  friendly  hints 
of  Miss  Hendee,  he  no  longer  doubted  that  Sherwood  was  indeed 
bent  on  his  destruction,  and  findkig  a  willing  instrument  in  Dar 
row,  had  instigated  this  method  of  accomplishing  it.  But  aban 
doning  all  thoughts  of  any  measures  to  punish,  or  circumvent, 
either  the  base  tool,  or  his  still  more  dastard  employer,  till  his  pub 
lic  duties  should  allow  him  more  leisure,  he  now  hastily  crossed 
the  stream,  and  proceeded  with  rapid  steps  towards  the  rendez* 


THE    GREEN-    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  145 

vous  of  his  assembling  companions,  which  he  only  reached  just  as 
the  last  glimmerings  of  departing  daylight  were  fading  in  the 
western  horizon. 

"Charles,  how  is  this!"  exclaimed  Colonel  Allen,  breaking 
away,  as  soon  as  he  noticed  Warrington's  arrival,  from  a  group  of 
several  of  the  most  influential  settlers  in  the  vicinity,  with  whom 
he  appeared  to  have  been  engaged  in  a  low  confidential  conversa 
tion,  "  how  is  this,  that  you  are  the  last  man  to  come  on  the 
ground  ?  Why,  I  thought  the  devil  had  got  you,  or,  what  is  the 
same  thing  in  Dutch,  that  you  had  gone  over  to  the  British,  to  ap 
prise  them  of  our  project.  But,  come,  sir,  as  I  suppose  we  must 
allow  you  the  credit  of  having  done  rather  better  than  that,  I  have 
concluded  to  make  you  my  right  hand  man  for  the  evening.  So 
now  for  business." 

"In  that  case,  Colonel,"  replied  the  other,  "let  me  suggest  to 
you  the  precaution  of  placing  a  few  sentinels  around  us,  while  in 
convention.  There  may  be  those  abroad  to-night,  who,  if  per 
mitted  to  look  in  upon  us  here,  would  render  our  enterprise  as  TJHn 
as  the  crusades.  Were  it  not  too  dark,  I  would  show  you  a  hole  in 
my  coat,  through  which  one  of  these  prowlers  a  few  miles  back, 
by  a  small  mistake,  put  a  bullet,  instead  of  through  my  heart,  as 
evidently  intended. " 

"God  bless  you,  Charles,  what  do  you  mean  ?"  asked  Allen, 
with  surprise  and  emotion. 

"I  mean  as  I  say." 

"  But  who  could  it  be  ?  " 

"  That  despicable  sergeant,  instigated  by  Sherwood,  I  suspect." 

"  And  what  was  you  about  not  to  return  the  compliment  on  the 
spot  ?  " 

' '  He  escaped  me  in  a  thicket,  and  I  had  no  time  to  spend  in  the 
cautious  pursuit  which  would  be  safe  or  successful — would  to 
heaven  I  could  have  had  more  leisure  !  " 

"  Well,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  Charles,  within  a  week,  we  will 
have  our  heels  on  that  nest  of  rattle  snakes.  But  it  is  time  to  or 
ganize.  You  were  right  about  a  guard — will  you  attend  to  placing 
it,  while  I  assemble  the  company  in  the  barn,  and  see  that  each  has 
the  watchword  ?  " 

Allen  now  ordered  lights  to  be  brought,  and  placing  himself  at 
the  door  of  the  building,  he  called  to  the  company  to  advance 
and  enter  singly.  Each  man  as  he  presented  himself,  and  before 
«ufTcro<l  to  pass  in,  was  strictly  required  to  give  the  watchword, 
which,  as  a  precautionary  measure  to  prevent  any  one  being 


146  THE    QUEEN   MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

present  whose  views  had  not  been  previously  ascertained,  had 
been  confidentially  imparted  by  Alien  and  his  associate  leaders 
since  the  meeting  was  in  agitation.  The  word  chosen  for  this 
purpose  was  Carillon,  an  appellation  by  which  fort  Ticonderoga 
was  designated  by  the  French  while  in  the  possession  of  their 
government.  After  every  man  had  passed  this  test  of  admit 
tance,  and  thus  proved  himself  entitled  to  mingle  in  the  deliber 
ations  of  the  assembly,  Col.  Allen  called  the  meeting  to  order, 
and,  after  stating  that  important  business  was  in  contemplation, 
the  successful  result  of  which  might  depend  on  the  secrecy  with 
which  it  was  conducted,  proposed  a  sort  of  oath  or  affirmation, 
binding  all  present  by  a  solemn  promise  not  to  divulge  the  pro 
ceedings  of  this  meeting,  and  its  consequent  measures,  till  the 
reasons,  which  made  secrecy  necessary,  should  cease  to  exist. 
This  proposition  was  acceeded  to  and  the  oath  taken  by  rising. 
Allen  then,  as  the  acting  chairman  of  the  assemblage,  declared 
the  meeting  open  for  remarks  on  the  subject  which  they  had  met 
to  discuss. 

The  dead  silence,  which  was  now  for  a  few  moments  observed 
by  the  expectant  assembly,  was  broken  by  Warring-ton,  who, 
calmly  rising,  proceeded,  after  a  few  preliminary  observations,  to 
give  a  brief  history  of  the  commencement  and  progress  of  the 
quarrel  between  the  colonies  and  mother  country.  He  then  enu 
merated  the  wrongs  and  aggressions  which  the  former  had 
suffered,  while  meekly  and  vainly  petitioning  for  redress,  and 
closed  by  a  vivid  picture  of  the  recent  massacre  at  Lexington, 
and  with  an  eloquent  appeal  to  the  settlers  to  join  the  inhabitants 
of  the  sister  colonies  in  avenging  the  death  of  their  slaughtered 
countrymen. 

As  lie  closed  his  harangue,  which  had  been  listened  to  with 
the  most  profound  attention,  a  visible  excitement  ran  through 
the  assembly.  And  the  hasty  changing  of  positions,  as  they  sat 
npon  their  rude  plank  seats  ranged  in  rows  round  a  small  table, 
on  which  dimly  burned  a  small  taper,  the  glistening  eye,  the  in 
dignant  glance,  the  firmly  compressed  lip,  and  the  silent  work 
ing  of  the  muscles  of  the  faces  of  these  hardy  mountaineers, 
plainly  told  the  speaker  that  he  had  been  addressing  men  who 
neither  lacked  the  intelligence  to  comprehend,  nor  the  spirit  to 
act,  as  soon  as  a  definite  object  for  action  was  set  before  them. 

Remember  Baker,  one  of  the  most  shrewd,  sagacious,  and  coolly 
calculating  men  of  the  settlement,  next  arose  and  addressed  the 
meeting.  With  a  few  observations,  for  he  was  not  a  man  of 


TSE    GREEN   MO  UNTAItf   BO  F£  147 

many  words,  going  to  confirm  the  statements,  and  fortify  the 
positions  of  Warrington,  be  told  them,  that  although  he  doubted 
not  in  the  least,  that  principle  alone  with  them  would  be  suffi 
cient  to  excite  them  to  action  in  the  coming  contest,  yet  their 
policy,  as  settlers  engaged  in  a  controversy  with  New  York  for 
their  homes  and  property,  demanded  that  they  should  take  a 
bold  and  decided  stand  against  the  British ;  for  by  doing  this 
tlviy  would  at  once  enlist  the  sympathies  of  the  other  colonies  in 
regard  to  their  wrongs,  draw  upon  themselves  the  attention  and 
respect  of  Congress,  to  which,  if  backed  by  the  considerations  of 
a  meritorious  service  in  the  common  cause  of  the  country,  they 
could  successfully  appeal  for  protection  against  the  aggressions 
ol  New  York,  and  thus  place  themselves  in  an  attitude  in  which 
they  could  not  only  command  justice,  but  finally  secure  the  priv 
ilege  of  becoming  an  independant  State. 

u 'Member  is  right !"  exclaimed  one  of  that  class  with  whom 
this  artful,  and  as  the  event  afterwards  proved,  by  no  means  ill- 
grounded  argument,  was  calculated  to  operate  with  particular 
force. 

"Ay,  ay !"  responded  another,  "give  me 'Member  Baker  for 
foresight'  The  more  birds  we  can  kill  with  one  stone  the 
better." 

Although  the  argument  of  Baker  was  not  probably  without  its 
effect  on  the  minds  of  all,  situated  as  the  settlers  were  with  re 
spect  to  their  controverted  rights,  and  when  added  to  the  manly 
appeal  of  Warrington  to  their  patriotism  and  principles,  had 
wrought  up  the  assembly  to  a  high  pitch  of  feeling,  yet  Allen, 
conceiving  that  something  more  was  needed  to  ripen  them,  for 
action,  and  raise  their  minds,  as  he  was  desirous  of  doing,  to  a 
level  with  his  own  high-toned  enthusiasm,  now  rose,  and,  after 
looking  for  a  moment  fearlessly  and  confidently  around  him,  as 
he  stood  towering  with  his  giant  form,  like  Saul  among  the  peo 
ple,  began,— 

"MEN  OF  THE  GREEN  MOUNTAINS, — 

In  the  struggle  in  which  you  have  been  for  many  years  en 
gaged,  you  have  won  among  the  people  of  these  colonies  a  name 
for  valor  and  patriotism.  But  have  you  gained  this  proud  dis 
tinction  in  surmounting  the  difficulties  of  the  past,  to  lose  it  now 
by  inaction  in  the  more  important  stake  of  the  present?  Have 
you  so  long,  so  nobly,  so  triumphantly,  resisted  arbitrary  power 
in  the  shape  of  little  tyrants  near  home,  to  submit  now  to  the 
lawless  dictations  of  great  ones  from  abroad?  Are  you,  who 


143          '       'THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

have  just  saved  your  homes  and  possessions  from  the  grasp  of 
these,  now  willing  to  yield  them  tamely  to  those  ? — to  those  whose 
despotic  dominion  would  soon  render  them  but  possessions  in 
name,  to  be  transmitted  to  whom  ?  to  whom  I  say  ? — To 
slaves  in  .the  persons  of  your  own  children  !  Yes,  your 
own  children,  who,  if  suffered  to  retain  their  inheritance 
at  all,  must  retain  it  with  a  foot  of  a  lord  on  their  necks, 
and  the  hand  of  a  priest  in  their  pockets  !  Green  Mountain 
Boys!  could  you,  who  have  drank  in  liberty,  from  the  very  air  of 
your  green  hills,  never  yet  contaminated  by  the  breath  of  a  tyrant, 
could  you  witness  this  and  live  ?  And  above  all,  can  you  now 
look  idly  on,  and  see  a  hireling  soldiery  swarming  your  country, 
enforcing  the  accursed  requisitions  of  their  masters  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  shooting  down  your  countrymen  and  brothers  by 
scores,  as  if  they  were  wild  beasts,  for  exercising  but  the  rights 
which  God  and  nature  have  given  them — can  you  look  upon  a 
scene  like  this,  and  lift  no  hand  for  your  rights  ? — strike  no  blow 
to  avenge  the  cold  blooded  murder  of  your  countrymen  at  Lexing 
ton  ?  Great  God,  forbid!  ISTo!  no!  my  brave  mountaineers,  you 
were  never  born  to  be  cringing  slaves  !  Your  bold  hearts  and 
sinewy  arms  were  never  made  to  be  listless  and  idle  at  a  time  like 
this!'  Come,  then,  come  on!  follow  me,  whose  heart  is  laboring 
and  leaping  for  the  work  of  vengeance,  and  whose  arm  is  nerved 
and  aching  for  the  blow !  Follow  me,  and  I  will  lead  you  to 
deeds,  which  shall  cover  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  with  imperish 
able  glory,  and  make  their  name  the  watchword  of  liberty,  while  a 
tyrant  shall  remain  to  disgrace  the  image  of  his  God,  or  pollute 
the  earth  with  his  presence." 

During  the  delivery  of  this  brief  and  exciting  appeal,  the  ex 
pectant  audience  at  first  sat  in  their  seats  as  silent  and  motionless 
as  a  group  of  statues.  Before  the  speaker  had  proceeded  through 
many  sentences,  however,  the  whole  company  had  noiselessly  risen 
in  their  places,  where  they  stood  as  if  spell  bound  in  their  tracks, 
every  head  eagerly  bent  forward,  and  every  eye,  gleaming  witfi 
the  kindling  fire  within,  rivited  upon  their  idolized  leader,  to  catch 
the  bold  and  inspiriting  thoughts  that  fell  burning  from  his  lips, 
norw  with  looks  of  fire  and  scorn,  and  now  with  the  intonations  of 
thunder.  And  as  he  went  on,  rising  in  energy  and  power  at  every 
sentence,  eyes  were  seen  to  flash  brighter  and  brighter  with  indig 
nation,  tears  of  excited  and  overflowing  feeling  to  gush  over  many 
a  rough  chook,  while  many  a  clenched  and  brawny  fist  was  bran 
dished  aloft,  in  mute  response  to  the  heart- stirring'  words  of  the 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    DOTS.  149 

speaker.  And  when  he  closed,  ''Ethan  Allen,  forever!  Ethan 
Allen,  forever  ! "  rose  in  one  loud  convulsive  shout  to  heaven. 

All  being  now  ripe  for  action,  and  many  loudly  demanding  the 
object  which  might  immediately  require  their  services,  Allen  laid 
before  them  the  project  of  marching  at  once  upon  the  British 
forts  at  Ticon'deroga  and  Crown  Point,  with  the  object  of  sur 
prising  and  capturing  these  two  important  though  now  weakly 
garrisoned  fortresses.  The  settlers  being  in  general  well  apprised 
of  the  state  of  these  garrisons,  and  entering  with  great' zeal  into  the 
views  of  their  leaders  respecting  the  importance  and  feasibility  of 
the  proposed  plan,  the  latter  now  made  a  call  for  volunteers,  and 
immediately  commenced  an  enrolment  of  names,  which,  when 
completed,  was  found,  to  the  joy  and  surprise  of  Allen  and  his 
colleagues,  to  embrace  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  assemblage 
now  present;  while  even  the  rest  expressed  an  earnest  wish  to  aid 
in  the  enterprise  so  far  as  it  could  be  don6  without  leaving  the 
neighborhood  of  their  homes,  where  their  presence  was  demanded. 
All  necessary  measures  preparatory  to  the  expedition,  as  far  as  re 
garded  the  forces  raised  in  this  section  of  the  Grants,  were  then 
discussed  and  settled,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  men  were  selected 
to  guard  every  road  by  which  any  information  of  the  contemplated 
movement  could  be  conveyed  to  the  enemy.  These  were  ordered 
to  enter  upon  their  duties  the  next  day;  while  the  main  body  were 
to  equip,  and  otherwise  prepare  themselves  in  the  best  manner  the 
circumstances  would  admit,  and  assemble  at  Castleton  on  the 
fourth  day  from  the  present  time.  After  these  arrangements  were 
completed,  Allen  ordered  his  horse  to  be  brought  to  the  door,  and 
announced  his  intention  of  departing  that  night  for  the  south  part 
of  the  settlement,  to  superintend  the  mustering  of  the  forces  en 
listing,  or  enlisted,  in  that  quarter. 

"  Well,  my  brave  boys,"  said  the  Colonel,  mounting  his  horse, 
while  his  devoted  followers  were  crowding  around  him,  "  remem 
ber  to  meet  me  at  Castleton  on  the  8th.  Captain  Warrington  and 
Lieutenant  Selden  will  muster  and  take  charge  of  you.  Captain 
Baker  goes  to  Winooski  river  to  raise  what  force  he  can  there,  and 
come  in  boats  to  join  us  on  the  lake.  As  to  myself,  before 
to  morrow's  sunset  I  must  be  at  Holy  Hill.  *  And  now,  my 
fine  fellows,  go  home,  and  prepare  yourselves,  without  letting 
your  left  hands  know  what  your  right  are  doing,  and  may  thi 
Lord  bless  you  all  till  I  see  you  again. 'x 

So  saying,  and  putting  spurs  to  his  horse.,  he  rushed  down  the 
road  to  the  south  and  disappeared. 

*  An  appellation  by  which  Ethan  Allen  was  in  the  habit  of  calling  Bennington. 


150  THE  aitEEtf  MOUNTAIN 


CHAPTER  XV 


"  Now  be  thou  strong!  Oh!  knew  we  not 
Our  path  must  lead  to  this? 
A  shadow  and  a  trembling  still 
Were  mingled  with  our  bliss !  " 


THE  following  epistle  from  Miss  Rendee  to  Miss  Eeed,  in 
answer  to  the  one  from  the  latter,  inserted  in  a  previous  chapter 
was  written  in  the  interval  between  the  meeting  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys  last  described,  and  the  general  mustering  of  theii 
forces  for  their  contemplated  enterprise. 

"Forgive  me,  dear  Jessy,  but  really  I  could  not  help  laughing, 
on  the  receipt  and  perusal  of  your  vivacious,  and  very  interesting 
letter,  to  see  the  desperate  attempts  you  there  repeatedly  make 
to  conceal  from  me,  and  yourself,  by  naked,  unmasked  assert  ions, 
and  inferences  without  premises,  the  heart-hidden  secret  which 
your  every  third  sentence,  at  least,  most  palpably  discloses.  Yes, 
my  lady,  whether  you  believe  it  or  not,  yourself,  you  are  but  little 
better  than  a  gone  girl,  and  your  doughty  major  will  find  it  out, 
too,  as  sure  as  Jealousy  has  eyes,  and  Love  none.  But  never 
mind  it,  my  dear  girl,  nor  turn  up  that  pretty  slender  nose  in  a 
miff  at  what  I  say,  since  the  same  letter  that  gives  you  cause  of 
displeasure,  if  cause  there  be,  will  furnish  you  also  with  the  means 
of  an  ample  revenge ;  for  I,  too,  have  adventures  to  relate,  of  the 
past  week's  occurrence,  scarcely  less  extraordinary  than  your  own. 
When  you  iaid,  Jessy,  in  that  little  parenthesis,  which  you  threw 
into  your  letter  concerning  Warrington,  "  A  noble  looking  fellow, 
I  wish  you  could  see  him,"  you  little  thought  that  your  wish  had 
been  granted  ere  expressed ;  and  far  less  did  you  dream,  when 
you  added,  u  I  think  you  would  like  him,"  how  much  of  a  proph 
etess  you  was  likely  to  become ;  for  Charles  Warrington  I  have 
seen,  Warrington  the  Green  Mountain  Boy,  Warrington  the 
York  outlaw,  and  Warrington  the  generous,  high-minded,  and,  as 
you  truly  say,  noble  looking  fellow !  And  in  what  estimation  I 
secretly  hold  him,  you  will  better  understand,  when  I  inform  you, 
that  my  old  acquaintance  Howard,  of  whom  you  have  often  heard 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  151 

me  speak,  and  Warrington  are  one,  and  the  same  person !  You 
cannot  be  more  surprised  at  this  news  than  I  was,  myself,  at  the 
discovery.  And  not  small  was  the  confusion  of  thought  and  feel 
ing,  I  experienced  at  first,  I  confess,  in  reconciling  the  warring 
conceptions  I  had  previously  entertained  of  these  two,  as  I  sup 
posed  them,  different,  and  almost  diametrically  opposite  charac 
ters.  In  this,  however,  I  have  at  length  succeeded,  and  even  to 
that  degree  that  I  cannot  but  feel,  that  the  character  of  Howard, 
pure  and  exalted  as  I  ever  thought  it,  receives  an  additional  luster 
from  the  noble  and  disinterested  part  he  has  taken  in  behalf  of 
these  poor,  and  as  I  am  now  satisfied,  unjustly  treated  settlers. 

And  with  this  avowal  of  opinion,  you  will  of  course  understand 
that  I  think  none  the  worse  of  him  for  being  a  New  York  outlaw. 

We  have  had  three  interviews.  The  two  first  I  must  pass 
over  lightly,  as  I  have  much  of  a  more  interesting  character  to 
communicate.  I  first  encountered  Warrington  in  the  border  of 
the  woods  adjoining  our  opening,  where  I  wandered,  a  fatalist 
would  think,  but  to  be  frightened  by  the  questionable  appearance 
of  a  sergeant  from  the  fort,  and  to  be  relieved  by  the  opportune 
arrival  of  my  knight-errant  Green  Mountain  Boy.  Our  next 
meeting  was  at  our  house,  where,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  he 
made  known  to  me  for  the  first  time  the  identity  of  which  I  have 
spoken,  and  where  also  he  came  near  being  seized  by  this  same 
sergeant  and  his  soldiers,  who,  I  feel  sure,  came  here  for  no 
other  purpose,  being  prompted  by  the  reward,  and  instigated,  as 
I  cannot  but  suspect,  by  one  who  shall  be  nameless.  But  War 
rington  and  another  of  the  leaders  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
who  happened  here  that  evening,  and  who,  by  the  way,  was  a 
most  extraordinary  man,  fairly  out-generaled  their  mercenary 
enemies,  and,  by  a  little  favoring  from  a  quarter  which  you  are 
at  liberty  to  guess  at,  both  luckily  made  their  escape.  Our  last 
interview  has  been  to-day,  and  a  most  important  one,  too,  I  fear 
it  may  prove,  to  the  destinies  of  your  perplexed,  and  in  some 
respects  truly  unhappy  friend.  But  before  entering  upon  partic 
ulars,  I  must  recur  to  some  events  which  transpired  in  the  interim 
The  next  day  after  W's  visit  and  fortunate  escape,  Sherwood 
came  here,  and  raised  a  storm  in  our  quiet  family,  which  has  not 
yet  wholly  ceased  raging.  It  seems  this  sagacious  lover  of  mine 
who  has  often  heard  my  father  recount  the  Samaritan  kindness 
of  Howard,  and  perhaps  suspected  my  own  secret  partialities,  had 
discovered,  by  worming  himself  into  the  confidence  of  the  set 
tlers,  that  He  ward  and  Warrington  were  the  same,  but,  for  rea- 


152  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

eons  of  his  own,  had  kept  the  discovery  entirely  to  himself 
though  he  had  been  for  several  months  in  possession  of  the  se 
cret.  It  appears  also,  that  he  had  been  apprised  of  each  of  my 
interviews  with  Warrington.  And  coming  armed  with  all  this 
annihilating  array  of  facts,  as  he  believed  it,  he,  without  saying 
a  word  to  me,  called  my  father  aside,  and  poured  the  whole  story 
into  his  ears,  with  such  additions  and  embellishments  as  he  con 
ceived  would  best  subserve  his  purpose, — the  amount  of  which 
was,  as  near  as  I  could  gather,  that  my  father  had  been  harbor 
ing  a  branded  villain,  who,  in  the  guise  of  a  gentleman,  had 
been  aiming  at  the  seduction  of  his  daughter,  and  the  eventual 
seizure  of  his  possessions.  Trembling  from  head  to  foot  with 
uncontrollable  rage,  my  father  immediately  hastened  to  my  apart 
ment.  I  will  not,  I  cannot  even  attempt  a  description  of  the 
painful  scene  that  followed.  You  are  not  unacquainted  with  my 
father's  unfortunate  infirmities  of  temper.  You  can,  therefore, 
in  some  measure  fancy,  perhaps,  how  he  would  feel  and  act  un 
der  such  a  representation  of  things,  so  nearly  affecting  his  wishes 
and  interests — a  representation,  in  which  fact  and  falsehood  were 
so  artfully  blended,  that  a  much  cooler  temperament,  under  the 
circumstances,  might  have  been  thus  wrought  up  to  anger.  He 
swore  and  wept  alternately.  I  wept  freely  also,  but  only  at  wit 
nessing  his  distress,  and  at  the  thought  of  my  own  luckless 
destiny,  which  had  placed  me  in  a  situation  where  I  must  sacrs 
fice  my  own  happiness  for  life,  or  probably  be  the  means  of 
destroying  that  of  a  parent,  who,  with  all  his  faults,  is  still  dear 
to  my  heart.  I  said  but  little,  however.  Delicacy,  as  well  as 
prudence,  forbade  my  disclosing  the  state  of  my  feelings.  And 
as  to  all  other  charges,  I  could  only  assert  my  innocence,  for  I 
had  then  given  Mr.  W.  scarce  a  word  of  encouragement. 

After  my  father  had  exhausted  his  store  of  reproaches  upon 
my  poor  head  and  left  me,  Sherwood  entered  and  took  up  the 
discourse.  I  could  not  but  feel  amused,  in  spite  of  my  indigna 
tion  and  contempt  at  his  despicable  course,  to  see  all  the  doubling 
and  shif tings  he  went  through  in  his  desperate  attempts  to  regain 
my  favor,  which  my  manner  probably  pretty  plainly  told  him  he 
had  put  in  considerable  hazard.  After  protesting,  nattering, 
apologizing,  and  arguing,  with  the  sycophancy  of  a  Frenchman 
and  the  sophistry  of  a  Jesuit,  he  fiiiauy  departed,  leaving  me  to 
myself,  and  that  negative  happiness  which  his  absence  has  not 
rery  lately  failed  to  afford  me. 

The   next  morning  I   reminded   my   father,    whose    madness 


Til E    GUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  153 

seemed  to  have  something  more  of  method  in  it  than  tbe  day  be 
fore,  of  a  visit  which  had  a  few  days  previous  been  projected  at 
his  own  suggestion.  This  was  a  ride,  on  horseback,  to  Otter 
Creek  to  carry  a  few  necessaries  to  a  distant  relative  of  ours, 
Aunt  Story,  as  we  call  her,  whose  curious  subterraneous  abode  I 
have  before  described  to  you,  I  believe.  No  serious  objection 
being  made  to  the  proposal,  I  accordingly  set  out  with  Neshobee, 
my  usual  attendant  on  these  excursions,  who,  on  another  horse, 
accompanied  me  in  the  capacity  of  baggage  man  and  squire. 
We  had  a  pleasant  ride,  and  arrived  without  any  particular  ad 
venture  at  the  Creek,  opposite  her  wood-begirt  residence.  O, 
how  delightful  is  a  morning  ride  at  this  season  of  the  year 
through  these  flowering  forests!  How  fragrant  the  viewless  odors 
that  regale  your  senses  at  almost  every  step!  And,  in  the 
present  instance,  as  you  near  the  Green  Mountains,  how  pure  and 
invigorating  the  breezes  that,  seemingly  uncoutaminated  by  a 
contact  with  earth,  come  wafting  down  their  dark  sides  fresh 
from  the  mid-heavens!  I  never  approach  these  green-hilled 
monuments  of  sylvan  magnificence,  but  my  physical  powers  re 
ceive  an  impulse,  and  my  moral  nature  becomes  sensibly  exalted. 
No  wonder  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  should  be  men  of  such  high- 
toned  character ! 

On  reaching  the  banks  of  the  Creek,  Neshobee  set  up  his  shrill 
whoop  (not  war  whoop)  to  make  known  our  arrival  to  this  fear 
less  woman  of  the  woods.  This  being  heard  and  understood  by 
her,  she  quickly  made  her  appearance,  came  across  with  her  boat, 
and  ferried  us  all  safe  over  the  stream,  our  horses  having  been 
left  tied  to  saplings  on  the  bank  behind. 

I  must  not  stop  to  describe  the  cordial  reception  I  met  with,  as 
I  alway  do  in  this  singular,  yet  interesting  family ;  nor  my  romp 
with  the  curly  headed  brood  of  children,  that  thronged  around 
me,  capering  in  wild  glee  at  my  arrival,  and  their  eyes  fairly 
sparkling  with  joy  and  gratitude  at  the  sight  of  the  tit-bits  I  had 
brought  them.  After  the  rumpus  and  romping  with  the  joy 
ous  little  creatures  had  somewhat  subsided,  I  took  the  bright- 
eyed  and  lisping  little  Julia,  in  my  lap;  when  the  pretty  rogue 
immediately  clambered  up,  and  putting  her  arms  around  my 
neck,  in  the  sweet,  pleading,  and  playful  tones  of  infantile  elo 
quence  exclaimed. 

"Now,  Couthin  Alma,  mayn't  I  kith  you  again? — there,  I 
did  !  I  will  again  !  There  !  ha  !  ha  !  Now  I  have  kithed  you 
ath  many  tirneth  ath  I  did  the  Young  Captain." 


154  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

"And  who,  pray,  my  pretty  one,"  said  I  quite  innocently, 
"who  is  this  Young  Captain  with  whom  you  appear  to  have  been 
so  familiar  ? " 

"  O,  he  ith  the  Young  Captain,"  replied  she  hesitating  in  her 
childish  simplicity  how  to  define  her  favorite  by  any  other  appel 
lation  than  the  one  by  which  she  had  been  accustomed  to  hear 
him  called:  "he  ith — he  ith  a  good  Young  Captain.  I  kithed 
him  three  timeth.  And  wouldn't  you  kith  him  too,  Couthin 
Alma,  if  he'd  let  you  ?  Wouldn't  the  Young  Captain  let  Couthin 
Alma  kith  him,  ma  ? " 

Puzzled  and  confused,  at  I  scarcely  knew  what,  I  turned  to  the 
mother  for  an  explanation ;  when  to  my  still  greater  confusion,  I 
beheld  her  holding  her  sides,  while  her  eyes  were  fairly  dancing 
in  the  bright  tears  of  suppressed  risibility,  to  which  she  now  gave 
way  in  a  right  hearty  fit  of  laughter. 

"Excuse  me,  Alma,"  said  she,  as  soon  as  she  could  command 
her  merry  emotions  sufficiently  to  speak  ;  "excuse  me  for  laugh 
ing  at  the  child's  ludicrous  introduction  of  a  subject,  which  I 
was  at  the  very  moment  thinking  how  I  could  myself  break 
Jo  you.  The  Young  Captain,  as  some  of  the  settlers  call  him,  is 
no  other  than  the  well  known  leader  of  one  of  the  bands  of  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  Charles  Warrington.  Why.  bless  me  !  " 
she  continued,  with  a  look  of  surprise,  as  she  now  lifted  her  eyes 
from  her  work  to  my  features,  "What  ails  you,  Alma?  Why 
your  face  is  as  red  as — Oh  ! — ah  ! — aha  ! — you  knew  all  this 
before,  did  you  !  And  you  have  seen  him  yourself,  you  rogue  ?  " 
she  added  mischievously,  shaking  her  finger  at  me,  and  fixing  her 
keen  eyes  on  my  face;  "You  have,  Alma,  and  you  need  not 
attempt  to  deny  it." 

"I  have  not  denied  it,  aunt — have  I  ?  "  I  replied,  rallying  as 
well  as  I  could. 

"Well,  now,  Alma  Hendee,"  she  rejoined,  with  a  gratified  and 
serious  air,  "I  have  not  heard  anything  this  long  while  that  has 
done  me  more  good  than  this  news.  Indeed,  for  the  past  week 
in  particular,  I  have  actually  prayed  that  you  might  meet  him, 
though  I  dared  not  be  the  means  of  bringing  it  about.  And  the 
reason  why  I  wished  it  is,  because  I  think  so  much  of  the  man, 
and  feel  such  an  interest  in  the  cause  which  he  has  done  so  much 
to  sustain ;  and,  also,  because  I  knew  that  you,  from  your  inter 
course  and  connection  with  the  York  party,  and  from  your  hear 
ing,  as  you  naturally  would,  nothing  but  slander  and  misrepre- 
gentation  of  the  man,  and  curses  on  the  cause  in  which  he  has 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  153 

"been  so  nobly  engaged,  that  you,  I  say,  must  have  almost  neces 
sarily  imbibed  wholly  erroneous  opinions  of  both  him  and  his 
cause — now,  has  it  not  been  so  ?  " 

"Such,"  I  answered,  "was  once,  I  confess,  too  much  the 
case." 

"I  thought  so,"  she  resumed,  "  and  but  for  the  fear,  that  I 
might  displease  ^ou, — for  I  never  know  how  to  hold  up  when  I 
begin, — and,  perhaps,  be  led  into  a  quarrel  with  your  fiery  old 
father,  who  has  been  so  good  to  me,  I  should,  before  this,  have 
spoken  to  you  on  these  matters.  Why,  this  same  "Warrington 
and  a  party  of  his  followers  were  up  on  Lake  Dunmore  the  very 
day  you  were  last  here,  and  while  you  were  here  in  the  house 
playing  with  the  children,  I  discovered,  as  I  was  out  to  the  edge 
of  the  woods  to  get  ceder  boughs  for  a  broom,  a  gang  of  Yorkers 
going  in  pursuit  of  them.  Don't  you  recollect  I  came  in  and 
proposed  sending  Neshobee  out  to  kill  us  a  partridge  ? " 

I  remembered  it,  and  assented. 

"  Well,"  she  continued,  "  it  was  for  no  other  purpose  than  to 
despatch  him  to  Warrington  with  a  note  that  I  scribbled  in  that 
closet.  Neshobee,  I  knew,  was  a  friend  to  the  Captain." 

"Neshobee  !  "  said  I,  in  surprise,  "  why,  I  never  heard  him  so 
much  as  utter  the  name  !  " 

u  It  is  true  for  all  that,"  she  rejoined  ;  "Warrington  once  did 
him  a  service  when  they  happened  to  meet  on  a  hunt,  and 
Neshobee,  being  made  acquainted  with  the  other's  situation,  and 
knowing  yours,  has  been  as  prudent  as  he  is  faithful." 

"But  what  became  of  the  Yorkers  ? "  I  asked. 

"  The  Green  Mountain  Boys  threw  them  into  the  lake  and  re 
turned  to  this  neighborhood,"  she  answered.  "The  Captain 
and  his  Lieutenant  came  and  slept  that  very  night  in  this  house, 
and  were  here  asleep  on  the  floor,  when  I  came  up  to  the  house, 
after  helping  you  off  the  next  morning.  Do  you  remember  sing 
ing  us  a  song  that  night,  just  before  going  to  bed,  and  how  you 
were  interrupted  by  a  noise  in  the  woods  above  us  ?  " 

"I  do,  but  what  of  that  ?  "  said  I,  somewhat  startled. 

"Why,  nothing,  ""she  replied,  smiling,  "  only  Warrington,  who 
rambled  out,  after  his  friend  fell  asleep,  heard  your  performance." 

"You  astonish  me,  aunt  Story,"  I  replied;  "  but  surely  he  could 
not  have  distinguished  my  voice  in  that  under-ground  abode  ?  " 

"Not  exactly,"  answered  she,  "and  yet  he  was  strangely  puz 
zled,  and  seemed,  when  telling  me  of  the  affair  the  next  morning, 
to  have  some  suspicions  of  the  truth." 


156  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

"But  did  you  tell  him  who  it  was  ?  "  I  eagerly  demanded. 

"No,  Alma,"  she  said,  "I  kept  your  secret  for  reasons  which  I 
have  before  named,  and  sent  him  off  worse  puzzled  than  before. 
But  how  did  he  introduce  himself — as  Howard,  or  as  Warrington  ? 
for  that  the  two  were  one  and  the  same,  is  a  riddle  that  I  guessed 
out  long  ago." 

I  told  her  the  circumstances ;  after  which  she  resumed. 

"  So  you  have  a  hurricane  at  your  house.  Well,  Alma,  let  it 
blow  on,  and  overturn,  till  it  levels  falsehood  and  corruption  to 
the  ground,  and  brings  truth  and  justice  uppermost.  And  when 
that  takes  place,  if  you  will  believe  me,  Jake  Sherwood  will  be 
sweep  into  the  gulph  of  infamy,  where  he  ought  to  be  now,  instead 
of  being  here  among  men,  with  the  pretensions  of  a  man,  but  with 
the  real  character  of  a  spy  and  hypocrite  !  " 

"You  are  very  severe,  aunt,  "I  remarked,  not  so  much  offended, 
however,  as  I  might  have  been. 

"I  hold,  Alma,"  she  rejoined,  "  that  the  boldness  of  a  truth  is 
no  reason  for  suppressing  its  utterance.  Why,  Alma  Hendee. 
whether  you  know  it  or  not, — whether  you  will  believe  it  or  not,  it 
is  God's  truth,  that  with  all  his  smooth  manners  and  gentlemanly 
appearance,  the  heart  of  that  same  Jacob  Sherwood  is  as  black  as 
the  outside  of  my  dinner  pot!  " 

I  began  to  say  something  which  she  took  for  a  qualified  assent, 
when  cutting  me  short,  she  went  on, — 

"  You  know  that  it  is  so,  Alma.  And,  now,  that  you  have 
again  met  with  Warrington,  I  know  where  your  heart  is,  or  I  should 
not  venture  to  say  so  much.  Far  be  it  from  me  ever  to  interfere 
with  matches — matches  that  are  truly  such.  But  mis-matches 
patched  up  on  earth,  and  accursed  of  heaven,  I  should  feel  myself 
honored  in  being  the  instrument  of  breaking.  And  knowing,  as  I 
think  I  do,  all  the  motives  and  circumstances  which  led  you  to  ac 
quiesce  in  this  entanglement  with  Sherwood,  and  knowing,  also, 
that  a  match  between  you  would  be  yoking  darkness  to  light,  I 
stand  prepared,  as  your  friend,  acting  in  the  place  of  your  sainted 
mother,  now  in  heaven,  to  advise  you  to  say,  even  in  despite  of  the 
favorite  schemes  of  your  mistaken  and  blinded  father,  to  say  to 
Sherwood,  as  Peter  said  to  Simon  Magus,  who  would  buy  the 
sacred  gift  with  money,  'Thy  gold  perish  with  thee! '  " 

A  long  conversation  then  ensued  between  us,  in  which  all  the 
information  possessed  by  either,  relative  to  the  York  controversy, 
and  the  part  taken  in  the  same  by  Warrington,  Sherwood,  and 
others,  was  mutually  imparted  and  received,  and  our  opinion^  and 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  157 

feelings  on  these  subjects  freely  exchanged.  While  still  engaged 
on  this  engrossing  theme,  one  of  the  children  came  running  into 
the  house  with  the  cry,  "The  Young  Captain  is  coming!  the 
Young  Captain  is  coming  !  "  I  was  struck  dumb  by  this  unexpect 
ed  announcement,  and  so  surprised  and  fluttered,  that,  had  I  been 
a  bird,  I  believe  I  should  have  instantly  clapped  my  wings  and 
flovvn  away.  But  as  it  was,  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  prepare  to 
meet  the  half  dreaded,  half  courted  danger,  as  unconcernedly  as 
possible.  We  had  little  time  allowed  us  for  preparation,  however ; 
for  scarce  had  the  announcement  been  made,  before  Warrington 
entered  the  door  attended  by — whom  think  you,  Jessy?  I  wish 
you  could  have  been  there  ?  In  that  case,  to  follow  up  that  odd 
comparison  of  yours,  the  brisk  little  drummer  in  your  heart  would 
have  found  his  match,  I  think,  to  keep  up  the  accompaniment  with 
the  lively  performer  at  work  in  my  own :  for  Captain  Warrington's 
attendant  was  no  other  than  your  favored  knight,  the  gay,  witty, 
and  handsome  Selden.  An  hour  spent  in  his  company  was  suffi 
cient  to  make  me  feel  that  these  flattering  epithets,  and  even  more, 
might  be  justly  applied  to  him.  Now,  don't  be  jealous  girl,  for 
though  peculiarly  pleased  with  him,  I  certainly  was,  yet  my  feel 
ings  were  any  thing  but  those  constituting,  what  we  define  to  be 
that  undefinable  concern,  called  love — no,  no,  not  that,  but  a 
singular  sort  of  a  flowing  away  of  the  heart  towards  him,  which 
I  can  neither  describe  nor  account  for,  unless  the  solution  be 
found  in  the  prepossessions  of  him  that  your  letter  had  im 
planted. 

We  were  now  summoned  to  a  dinner,  which  our  free-hearted 
hostess  had  done  her  best  in  preparing  for  us.  The  meal  itself, 
as  you  know  it  must  have  been,  considering  the  limited  store 
from  which  it  had  to  be  prepared,  was  certainly  a  plain  one. 
But  partaken  in  such  company,  how  could  it  be  other  than  a 
delightful  one !  With  me,  it  forcibly  exemplified  the  proverb  of 
the  wise  man,  "  Better  is  a  dinner  of  herbs,  where  love  is,  than  a 
stalled  ox  and  hatred  therewith." 

After  dinner,  Warrington,  with  his  peculiar  delicacy  of  man 
ner,  proposed  a  ramble.  My  tongue  would  have  declined  the 
proposal  but  my  heart,  rising  in  rebellion,  suppressed  the  utter 
ance,  and  I,  silently,  and  with  a  palpitating  bosom,  assented.  All 
seemed  to  understand  the  object  of  our  walk,  and  no  one,  not 
even  a  child,  offered  to  accompany  us.  I  felt,  indeed,  myself, 
that  my  destiny  for  life  hung  on  the  events  of  that  hour.  We 
proceeded  in  almost  unbroken  silence  to  the  bank  of  the  river 


158  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

when  I  soon  found  myself  seated,  I  scarcely  know  how,  by  his 
side,  upon  a  flowery  hillock.  The  quiet  waters,  sparkling  in  the 
rays  of  the  meridian  sun,  were  gently  gliding  along  in  soft  mur 
murs  at  our  feet ;  while  a  spreading  thorn  tree,  loaded  with  blos 
soms  of  snowy  whiteness,  and  filling  the  air  with  delicious  fra 
grance,  formed  the  canopy  for  our  heads.  I  cannot  describe  what 
now  passed.  My  heart  soon  overflowed  with  contending  emotions. 
I  found  myself  able  to  prevail  against  its  stronger  dictates  no 
longer;  and  my  feelings  found  vent  in  a  flood  of  tears.  My 
head  involuntarily  rested  on  his  shoulder,  while  he  advocated  his 
cause  with  all  the  tender  pathos  of  love,  which  found  a  chord  in 
my  own  bosom  so  powerfully  responsive  to  its  eloquent  pleadings 
that, 

"  Then  our  hearts  together  run; 
And  like  kindred  drops  of  water, 
Met  and  mingled  into  one." 

The  winged  moments  flew  by  unheeded ;  and  when,  at  the  end 
of  an  hour,  which,  in  this  sweet  trance  of  the  affections,  seemed 
as  a  moment,  we  rose  to  return,  our  mutual  vows  of  unchanging 
love  and  eternal  constancy,  had  ascended  to  the  registry  of 
Heaven. 

Soon  after  our  return  to  the  house,  the  gentlemen  apprised  us 
of  the  necessity  of  their  immediate  departure;  when,  after  an 
affectionate  adieu,  they  proceeded  on  their  destination.  This 
destination  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  unfold,  and  shall  consequently 
be  debarred  from  some  particulars  connected  with  my  parting 
with  W.  which  awakened  a  solicitude  alike  new  and  painful  to 
my  feelings.  I  did  not  tarry  long  after  they  left  us.  But  after 
a  shower  of  thanks,  praises,  and  blessings  from  our  hostess,  for 
the  step,  which  I  apprised  her  I  had  taken,  I  soon  set  out  for 
home,  where  I  arrived  before  sunset. 

On  another  page  of  this  letter  I  styled  myself  your  perplexed 
friend.  I  am  so,  though  not  because  I  regret  the  step  I  have 
taken,  but  on  account  of  the  difficulties  which  must  soon  beset  me, 
I  have  also  many  painful  apprehensions  of  the  effect  which  my 
engagement  may  have  when  it  becomes  known,  as  ere  long  it 
necessarily  must,  on  not  only,  my  fath3r's  happiness,  but  his 
property,  owing  to  the  peculiarities  of  our  situation.  As  these 
cannot  be  understood  without  a  knowledge  of  some  former  events 
connected  with  our  family,  I  will,  in  confidence,  briefly  relate  to 
you  the  leading  particulars  of  our  family  history.  My  paternal 


GREEN  MOUNTAIN  SOYS.  159 

grandfather's  family  consisted  of  my  uncle  Gabriel  Hendee,  and 
my  father,  James  Hendee,  with  their  half  sister  Mary,  who  mar 
ried  John  Sherwood,  father  of  Jacob  Sherwood.  To  these  three 
was  left  a  considerably  extensive  property,  which  was  increased 
as  far  as  regarded  the  shares  of  Gabriel,  and  his  brother-in-law, 
Sherwood,  who,  becoming  partners,  engaged  in  the  lucrative 
trade  and  commerce  of  the  Connecticut  river,  on  the  banks  of 
which,  within  the  borders  of  Massachusetts,  you  are  already 
aware,  we  all  once  resided.  But  my  father  who  was  of  a  differ 
ent  disposition  and  less  inclined  to  confine  himself  to  the  details 
of  business;  entered  into  uncertain  speculations,  which,  instead 
of  increasing,  diminished  his  original  inheritanee,  involved  him 
in  some  pecuniary  embarrassments,  and  finally  led  him  to  aban 
don  trade,  for  which  he  seemed  neither  to  have  much  tact  nor 
inclination,  and  seek  a  commission  in  the  army,  destined  for  the 
French  and  Indian  wars,  then  beginnig  to  rage  along  our  bor 
ders.  Obtaining  the  commission  he  sought,  he  was  soon  called 
into  active  service,  having  entrusted  Sherwood  to  arrange  his 
affairs  and  take  charge  of  our  property;  while  Uncle  Gabriel, 
having  no  family,  and  becoming  an  invalid,  retired  from  business, 
and  came  tc  reside  with  our  family  in  father's  absence.  Several 
years  thus  passed  away,  father  at  intervals  returning  home  to  see 
his  wife  and  son,  the  darling  little  Edward,  and  spend  such  time 
with  them  as  his  public  duties  would  permit,  scarcely  troubling 
himself  to  look  into  the  state  of  his  property,  which  he  believed 
to  be  in  hands  where  it  would  be  husbanded  to  the  best  advan 
tage.  My  uncle  Gabriel  in  the  meanwhile  still  continuing  to  live 
in  the  family,  and  appearing  much  attached  to  it,  especially  to 
his  little  nephew,  made  his  will,  bequeathing  his  whole  property 
to  the  child,  when  of  age,  and  all  the  income  till  that  time,  and 
certain  portions  of  it  after,  to  my  father.  But  it  so  happened  not 
long  after  this  that  Mr.  Sherwood,  who  had  taken  a  temporary 
residence  further  up  the  river,  paid  our  family  a  long  visit,  at  the 
end  of  which  he  took  my  uncle  home  with  him,  where  he  soon 
grew  worse  and  died ;  not  however,  as  it  soon  appeared,  till  he 
had  added  a  codicil  to  his  will,  making,  in  case  of  Edward's 
death,  Mr.  Sherwood's  son,  Jacob,  legatee,  and  placing  that  fam 
ily  where  the  will  placed  ours.  From  that  time  misfortunes 
seemed  to  fall  fast  and  heavy  on  our  devoted  family.  My  mother 
soon  sickened  and  died,  leaving  me,  her  youngest  child,  about  a 
year  old.  Our  family  establishment  was  then  broken  up.  Ed 
ward  was  placed  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Sherwood;  and  I  was  sent 


160  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

to  a  relation  of  iny  mother  in  Hartford.  But  father,  already 
borne  down  with  sorrow  at  the  loss  of  Iwo  wives  (for  my  mother 
was  a  second  wife  by  whom  he  had  no  other  child),  was  doomed 
to  another  blow  scarcely  less  fatal  to  his  happiness,  and  more  so 
to  his  future  prospects,  in  the  further  loss  of  that  son,  on  whom 
all  his  hopes  and  dependence  had  been  placed.  The  boy  had 
been  allowed  as  the  story  was  told,  to  accompany  a  reckless 
young  man,  then  in  Sherwood's  employ,  many  miles  into  the  in 
terior,  and  there  strayed  away,  and  never  could  be  found.  There 
was  a  rapid  river  running  through  the  woods,  in  which  he  might 
have  been  drowned,  and  swept  down  into  the  Connecticut.  But 
it  was  considered,  more  probable,  that  he  had  been  seized  by 
some  small,  lurking  band  of  Indians  (traces  of  whom  were  dis 
covered  in  the  vain  search  for  the  boy),  and  by  them  murdered^ 
as  it  was  supposed,  since  no  tidings  of  him  ever  reached  us.  My 
father,  when  he  returned,  and  learned  the  fate  of  his  son,  was 
inconsolable.  And  Mr.  Sherwood  seemed  deeply  to  sympathize 
with  him,  and  moreover  to  manifest  great  regret  that  uncle  had 
so  altered  his  will  as  to  take  all  his  property  from  our  family, 
assuring  my  father  that  he  would  make  such  provision  for  us  as 
would  be  a  recompense.  After  this  visit  my  father  remained 
abroad  to  the  close  of  the  war,  when,  being  discharged  from  the 
service,  he  began  to  bethink  him  about  the  means  of  a  future 
livelihood,  and  called  on  Sherwood  to  account  for  his  property 
which,  to  his  dismay,  had  dwindled  to  a  mere  pittance.  And. 
receiving  it,  he  commenced  a  small  business  in  Hartford,  where 
he  resided  till  I  was  about  seventeen,  living  in  good  style,  and 
bestowing  on  me  the  best  education  the  place  afforded.  But 
again  becoming  embarrassed  by  expenses  beyond  his  income,  and, 
his  pride  revolting  at  the  thought  of  being  a  bankrupt  in  this 
place,  he  took  me,  and  secretly  left  town  for  Albany,  to  avail 
himself  of  the  many  promises  of  Mr.  Sherwood,  who  had  re 
moved  to  the  latter  place  many  years  before.  We  were  kindly 
received  by  Mr.  S.,  who  furnished  father  with  money  to  pay  off 
his  creditors  in  Hartford,  and  subsequently  to  purchase  our 
present  residence,  though  most  of  the  improvements  have  been 
made  through  the  means  of  the  half  pay  which  he  receives  from 
government. 

You  will  now,  Jessy,  be  able  to  appreciate  the  difficulties  of 
my  situation,  and  perceive  the  reasons  which  actuate  my  father 
in  the  strenuous  course  which  he  has  pursued,  and  will  be  likely 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  161 

still  to  pursue,  in  urging  a  connection  between  me  and  Jacob 
Sherwood.     Jessy,  adieu.  A.  H. 

P.  S.  When  I  closed  as  above,  last  night,  I  expected  the  let 
ter  would  have  been  taken  early  this  morning  by  Major  Skeen's 
colored  man,  Jack,  who  said  he  should  go  up  with  his  boat  to 
day;  but  he  has  just  called  and  says  he  shall  not  go  till  to-mor 
row  morning.  The  main  object  of  this  postscript  is,  however,  to 
say,  that  if  you  thought  it  so  important  that  I  should  keep  your 
secret,  you  cannot  but  see  how  much  more  so  it  is  that  you  keep 
mine.  I  know  not  but  Mr.  Warrington's  life  may  depend  on  it — 
I  did  not  mean  to  say  this,  but  my  fears  and  forebodings  have 
compelled  me.  You  do  not  know  Mr.  S. — would  to  heaven  I  had 
never  known  him. — Farewell. 

11 


THE    GREEH    MOUNTAIN    BOYS  103 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


"They  came,  impatient  for  the  fight, — 
Burning  to  rush  into  the  slaughter,— 
Ready  to  pour  their  blood  like  water 
For  what  they  deem  the  right ; — 
Like  men,  preferring  glorious  graves 
To  life  if  it  must  be  the  life  of  slaves! ' 


IT  seems  to  be  universally  conceded  that  the  first  settlers  of 
Vermont  were  men  of  an  iron  mould,  and  of  an  indomitable 
spirit.  And  it  is  no  less  true,  we  apprehend,  that  with  corporeal 
frames,  unusually  large  and  muscular,  and  constitutions  peculi 
arly  robust  and  enduring,  they  possessed,  also,  intelligence  and 
mental  energies,  which,  considering  what  might  naturally  be  ex 
pected  of  men  of  their  condition  in  life,  and  in  their  situation  in 
a  wilderness  affording  none  of  the  ordinary  means  of  intellectual 
culture,  were  equally  remarkable.  The  proof  of  these  assertions 
is  to  be  abundantly  found,  we  think,  in  the  unequalled  stand 
taken  by  them  for  their  rights,  in  their  memorable  controversy 
with  New  York,  and  in  the  multiplied  documents  that  grew  out 
of  it,  in  the  shape  of  resolves  and  decrees  of  conventions,  ad 
dresses  to  the  people,  memorials  and  remonstrances  to  the  gov 
ernor  of  that  province,  and  to  the  British  throne  itself,  all  drawn 
up  with  great  clearness  and  cogency  of  reasoning,  and  evincing 
a  knowledge  of  natural  and  constitutional  rights  in  a  people, 
among  whom  law  as  a  profession  was  then  entirely  unknown, 
which  are  generally  to  be  found  only  in  the  courts  and  councils 
of  old  and  highly  civilized  countries.  And  even  were  these  tes 
timonials  to  their  character  wholly  wanting,  ample  evidence,  that 
they  were  a  generation  of  no  ordinary  men,  may  still  be  seen^  in 
the  scattered  remnant  of  this  noble  band  of  heroes  yet  lingering 


161  THE    QREEJS    MOUNTAIN' BOYS. 

among  us,  like  the  few  and  aged  pines  on  their  evergreen  moun. 
tains,  and,  though  now  bowed  down  by  the  weight  of  nearly  a 
century  of  years,  exhibiting  frames,  which  would  almost  seem  to 
indicate  them  as  men  belonging  to  another  race,  and  which  are 
still  animated  by  the  light  of  wisdom  and  intelligence,  and  warmed 
by  the  unconquerable  spirit  of  freedom  yet  burning  unwasted 
within  them. 

Those  who  have  treated  on  this  subject,  when  alluding  to  tha 
facts  we  have  stated,  have  generally  coupled  them  with  observa 
tions  upon  tke  invigorating  effects  of  mountain  air,  &c.,  leaving  us 
to  infer  that  these  peculiarities  of  the  early  settlers,  were  attribu 
table  only  to  such  causes.  It  is,  indeed,  doubtless  the  case,  that 
the  wild  scenery,  and  the  pure  elastic  air  of  mountainous  coun 
tries,  are  the  most  favorable,  under  the  same  degree  of  culture, 
to  the  formation  of  the  highest  grade  of  physical,  as  well  as  moral 
and  intellectual  character — imparting,  in  the  one  instance,  that 
health  and  peculiar  vigor  which  brings  the  human  system  to  all 
the  perfection  thai  it  is  capable  of  attaining,  and,  in  the  other, 
engendering,  with  firmness  of  nerves,  and  firmness  of  purpose,  the 
usual  attendants  of  great  bodily  powers,  a  healthy  and  high-toned 
imagination,  and  those  lofty  aspirations  that  exalt  the  character, 
and  prompt  to  great  and  noble  actions.  But  whatever  influence 
the  peculiar  climate  and  scenery  of  this  Switzerland  of  America, 
as  Vermont  may,  perhaps,  be  appropriately  termed,  may  have  had, 
in  this  respect,  on  the  descendants  of  these  hardy  settlers,  little 
of  this  influence,  probably,  would  have  been  perceptible  on  the 
settlers  themselves :  they,  it  must  be  recollected,  were  not  natives 
of  these  mountains,  but  recent  emigrants  from  other  New  Eng 
land  colonies.  And  whatever  peculiarities  they  possessed  must 
mainly  have  originated  in  other  causes — from  the  very  nature 
of  the  enterprise,  probably,  which  brought  them  together,  that  of 
settling  a  wild  and  rough  frontier  country,  known  to  be  attended 
by  a  thousand  difficulties  and  hardships,  and  beset  by  a  thousand 
dangers,  in  which  men  of  ordinary  stamina  would  never  think 
of  engaging.  They,  indeed,  may  be  looked  upon  in  the  light  of 
picked  men,  or  more  properly,  perhaps,  in  that  of  volunteers, 
stepping  boldly  and  confidently  forth  for  some  extraordinary  en 
terprise,  of  which  the  hazard  and  difficulty  are  so  great,  that 
nothing  but  an  uncommon  union  of  courage  and  strength  can 
accomplish  it,  and  of  which  the  success,  or  even  the  attempt,  it 
in:.y  be,  furnishes  the  best  evidence  of  these. qualities  in  those 
who  voluntarily  enlist  in  the  undertaking.  And  as  regards  tho 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS  165 

intelligence  and  mental  character  of  these  settlers,  their  educa' 
tions  were  generally  equal  to  those  usually  received  among  the 
better  classes  of  the  old  settlements  where  they  were  obtained, 
and  superior,  probably,  to  what  the  same  men  were  able  to  fur 
nish  to  their  immediate  descendants.  And  this  fact,  together 
with  the  emergencies,  which  not  only  called  all  the  energies  of 
their  minds  into  action,  but  constantly  improved  them,  and  en, 
larged  their  information  by  the  investigations  they  were  induced 
to  make  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  their  cause  in  the  New 
York  controversy,  will  sufficiently  account  for  their  intellectual 
superiority  over  the  ordinary  settlers  of  other  new  countries. 

With  these  observations,  here  thrown  in  by  way  of  showing  our 
warrant  for  many  of  the  descriptions  of  character  which  we  have 
introduced,  and  which,  we  thought  it  not  impossible,  might 
otherwise  subject  us  to  the  charge  of  indulging  in  improbabilities, 
we  will  now  proceed  with  the  incidents  of  our  story. 

The  morning  of  the  ninth  of  May  broke  brightly  upon  the  en 
campment  of  our  troops  at  Castleton,  disclosing  to  the  view,  now 
for  the  first  time,  an  organized  band  of  about  three  hundred  as 
brave  and  hardy  men  as  ever  assembled  for  deeds  of  daring  and 
danger.  Of  this  number  more  than  three-fourths  were  Green 
Mountain  Boys.  The  remainder  were  men  collected  from  the 
nearest  parts  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  and  led  on  by 
several  enterprising  militia  officers  of  these  colonies,  who  had 
actively  co-operated  in  getting  up  the  expedition.  A  council  had 
been  held  the  night  previous,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  these 
united  forces,  which  had  been  dropping  in  irregularly  through 
the  day  and  a  greater  part  of  the  night,  and  also  for  making  all 
other  necessary  arrangements  to  march  for  their  destination  on 
the  following  morning.  At  this  council  Ethan  Allen  had  been 
unanimously  appointed  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  expedition. 
Colonel  Eastou,  one  of  the  Massachusetts  officers,  was  placed 
second  in  command.  And  the  third  grade  was  assigned  to  War- 
rington ;  while  Selden,  in  making  the  subordinate  appointments, 
w:is  raised  to  the  post  of  captain  to  supply  the  place  left  vacant 
by  the  promotion  of  his  superior.  Even  our  friend,  Pete  Jones? 
though  now  absent?  was  not  forgotten  in  the  distribution  of 
honors,  but  named  to  take  charge  of  the  scouts,  provided  he 
joined  the  expedition.  All  these  arrangements  having  been 
made  the  night  before,  as  just  stated,  the  troops  by  sunrise  had 
breakfasted,  and  were  now  under  arms,  and  undergoing  a  review 
preparatory  to  marching.  All  were  in  high  spirits,  and  animated 


166  THfl    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

at  the  thought  of  being  immediately  led  to  the  important  object 
of  their  enterprise.  Their  gallant  leader,  now  dressed  and 
equipped  in  a  manner  appropriate  to  his  rank,  and  mounted  on 
his  own  noble  charger,  was  riding  proudly  along  their  imposing 
front — now  pausing  to  give  some  directions  to  an  officer,  now  to 
inspect  the  equipments  of  a  company,  and  now  backing  his  cur 
vetting  steed  to  take  a  view  of  the  whole;  while  his  towering 
form  seemed  to  dilate,  and  rise  still  higher  to  the  view,  his  bosom 
heave  with  pride,  and  his  eyes  glisten  with  delight,  as  they  ran 
along  the  lines  of  his  stout  and  broad-chested  Green  Mountain 
Boys,  and  read  in  their  hardy  features,  lit  up  with  enthusiasm, 
and  eagerness  for  action  in  a  cause  which  every  man  had  made 
his  own,  the  same  high  resolves,  the  same  burning  desires  to  sig 
nalize  themselves  that  animated  his  own  bosom. 

At  this  moment,  a  stranger,  who,  with  a  single  attendant  in 
the  capacity  of  a  servant,  had  but  a  short  time  before  arrived, 
came  on  to  the  ground,  and  took  a  conspicuous  stand  in  front  of 
the  troops.  He  was  of  about  the  middle  age,  stout,  well-made? 
and  handsomely  featured,  while  a  Roman  nose,  a  thin,  curling  lip, 
and  a  black  flashing  eye,  with  the  peculiarly  contemptuous,  and 
even  sinister  expression,  and  reckless  air,  which  they  combined 
to  give  his  countenance,  denoted  no  ordinary  degree  of  self- 
esteem,  and  a  fiery  and  impetuous  disposition.  He  was  richly 
and  fashionably  dressed,  and  wore  a  sword,  epaulet,  and  other 
insignia  usually  worn  by  field  officers  of  the  times. 

"Captain  Blagden,"  said  Selden,  turning  to  a  Connecticut 
officer  near  him,  and  pointing  to  the  stranger  just  described, 
"  can  you  inform  me  who  that  proud  and  scornful  looking  fellow 
yonder  may  be  ?  He  belongs  not  to  us  of  the  Green  Mountains ; 
nor  does  he  appear  to  have  any  connection  with  the  troops  from 
Massachusetts,  or  with  those  from  your  own  colony;  and  yet  his 
demeanor,  and  showy  military  appendages,  would  lead  one  to 
suppose  that  he  came  here  to  take  command  of  the  whole  of  us." 

u  I  have  been  looking  at  the  man  myself,"  replied  the  person 
addressed,  "and,  though  not  quite  certain,  yet  I  believe  I  know 
him.  I  think  he  must  be  one  whom  I  well  knew  when  we  were 
boys,  and  of  whose  singular  career  I  have  since  been  often 
informed.  And,  if  my  conjectures  are  right,  his  name  is  Arnold, 
Benedict  Arnold,  of  New  Haven." 

"But  what  do  you  imagine  has  brought  him  here  with  these 
apparent  assumptions  ?  " 

"Well,  now  I  bethink  me,  sir,  I  remember,  that  the  day  I  left 


TUB    GRKEN    MOUNTAIN   J30YS.  167 

home,  a  townsman  of  mine,  who  had  just  returned  from  New 
Haven,  reported  that,  when  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
arrived  at  that  place,  Captain  Arnold,  who  is  the  commander  of 
an  independent  company  there,  started,  with  several  other  mili 
tary  men,  post  has^o  for  the  scene  of  action.  And  as  he  is  said 
to  be  a  good  officer,  having  been  a  soldier  in  the  army  (into 
which  he  run  itway  and  enlisted  in  his  youth),  I  should  not  be 
surprised  to  learn  he  had  received  a  commission  from  the  Massa 
chusetts  Committee  of  Safety.  And  further,  as  he  was  stationed, 
while  a  boy-soldier,  at  Ticonderoga,  and  knows,  doubtless,  con- 
sidcrable  of  its  situation,  I  will  hazard  a  bottle  with  you,  Cap 
tain  Selden,  th.it  lie  has  craved,  and  obtained,  permission  of  that 
Committee,  to  take  charge  of  the  troops  which  they  probably 
heard  were  collecting  for  this  expedition." 

u  Aha  ?  Colonel  Allen,  I  imagine,  will  have  a  word  to  say  to 
that  bargain.  It  would  fairly  break  his  heart  to  be  deprived  of 
the  chance  of  receiving  the  first  charge  of  grape  or  canister  that 
shall  salute  us  from  the  wide-mouthed  war-dogs  of  Old  Ti.  And 
if  your  surmises  arc  correct,  a  collision,  I  fear,  is  unavoidable 
unless  Mr.  Arnold  should,  as  I  think  he  certainly  ought,  waive 
his  pretensions  to  the  command." 

u  A  collision  it  will  be  then ;  for  Arnold,  it  is  said,  was  never 
yet  known  to  yield  to  any  thing,  when  his  purposes  were  fixed. 
A  more  reckless  dare-devil,  I  suppose,  never  trod  the  footstool. 
Why,  sir,  when  we  were  but  boys,  I  have  known  him  spring 
upon  a  large  water-wheel  in  full  motion,  grasp  one  of  its  arms, 
with  his  head  towards  the  circumference,  and  there  remain  till 
lie  had  been  dashed  through  the  back-water  beneath,  during  forty 
revolutions  I  I  have  known  him,  single-handed,  seize  and  over 
come  a  mad  ox,  which  had  broke  away  from,  and  nearly  killed  a 
dozen  men.  One  or  more  duels  he  has  fought  abroad;  while 
scores  of  bullies  have  been  cudgeled  and  conquered  by  him  about 
hcme.  Indeed,  if  one  half  that  is  told  of  him  is  true,  the  wild 
bulls  of  Bashan  had  not  a  spirit  more  untamable,  nor  scarcely 
more  bodily  strength  to  back  it." 

"  All  that  may  be,  sir,  but  those  who  know  Ethan  Allen  will 
laugh  at  the  very  idea  of  there  being  found  a  man  ia  New  Eng, 
land  who  can  outdo  him  in  feats  of  cither  strength  or  courage. 
And  when  they  tell  you,  as  they  truly  may,  that  they  have  seen 
him  bite  off  the  heads  of  board  nails  by  dozens, — seize  by  hia 
teeth,  and  throw  over  his  head,  bags  containing  each  a  bushel  of 
salt,  a8  fast  as  two  men  could  bring  them  round  tot him,— grasp 


1C8  THE;    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

two  opponents  who  had  beset  him,  one  in  each  hand,  and  lifting 
them  eieai  off  the  ground,  hold  them  out  at  arms  length,  and  beat 
them  together  till  they  cried  for  merey,  — engage  alone  with  a 
York  sheriff  and  his  posse  of  six  common  men,  rout  the  whole, 
and  leave  them  sprawling  on  the  ground — you  will  probably 
allow  that  such  a  man  "will  not  be  very  likely  to  succumb  to  your 
hero.  Let  this  Arnold  but  offer  to  assume  the  command,  and, 
unless  I  am  sadly  mistaken,  you  will  see  what  kind  of  stuff  our 
old  Green  Mountain  lion  is  made  of.  But  see !  the  fellow  is 
beckoning  the  officers  to  approach  him.  Let  us  move  up  to  the 
spot,  and  hear  what  he  has  to  offer  on  the  occasion." 

Understanding  and  heeding  the  intimation  of  the  stranger 
officer,  who  was  indeed  no  other  than  Benedict  Arnold,  after 
wards  so  infamously  conspicuous  in  the  annals  of  our  revolution, 
most  of  the  officers,  including  Allen,  who  had  dismounted  for  the 
purpose,  immediately  advanced  and  formed  an  irregular  line  be 
fore  him. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  with  a  perfectly  assured  and  confident 
air,  after  waiting  till  all  had  approached  and  assumed  a  listening 
attitude,  "lam  personally  unknown,  I  presume,  to  most,  or  all 
of  you,  but  having  been  clothed  with  the  proper  authority,  and 
directed  to  proceed  to  this  place  for  the  purpose,  I  have  the  honor 
to  announce  myself  to  you  as  the  commander  of  this  expedition ; 
consequently  it  is  now  my  duty  to  take  charge  of  these  troops." 

"  Sir  ?  "  said  Allen,  taking  a  step  in  advance  of  his  fellow  offi 
cers,  placing  his  arms,  akimboo,  and  turning  up  his  ear,  as  if  the 
better  to  catch  the  words  of  the  speaker,  whom  he  eyed  askance 
with  a  look  of  queerly  blended  doubt  and  scorn:  "Sir?  did  I 
hear  aright  ?  Did  you  say  that  you  thought  it  your  duty  to  take 
charge  of  these  troops  ? '' 

"I  did,  sir,  and  still  so  consider  it,"  replied  Arnold,  rather 
restively. 

"Do  you,  indeed  sir,"  rejoined  Allen,  with  a  look  of  cool 
derision.  "Then  it  was  altogether  a  mistake  of  mine  in  suppos 
ing  that  the  reverse  of  your  proposition  would  have  made  out  a 
more  probable  case  ?  " 

"I  know  not  what  you  mean,"  said  Arnold,  his  voice  trembling 
with  stifled  anger  at  the  biting  significance  of  the  other's  remark, 
"You  may  learn,  however,  that  I  am  not  a  person  to  be  trifled 
with,  sir." 

"Well,  I  can't  pretend  to  say  what,  or  who  you  are  not,"  re 
plied  Allen,  waxing  warm,  and  giving  token  of  a  direct  onset. 


THE    GBKKN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  160 

but  I  should  like  to  know  who  the  devil  you  are.  that  corne  here 
from  another  colony  to  take  the  control  of  men  who  now  own 
allegicnce  to  no  power  short  of  that  of  the  God  of  Heaven  ?  " 

"My  name  is  Arnold,"  replied  the  other,  biting  his  lips  in  sup 
pressed  rage,  "and  I  hold  a  commission  of  Colonel,  with  the  orders 
I  named,  from  the  Massachusetts  Committee  of  Safety.  There \ 
examine  it  for  yourselves !  "  he  added,  pulling  out  a  parchment, 
and  disdainfully  hurling  it  at  their  feet. 

The  roll  was  instantly  picked  up,  and  attentively  examined  by 
several  of  the  officers ;  while  Arnold  stood  aloof  in  contemptuous 
silence,  scarcely  deigning  to  bestow  a  glance  on  the  company 
thus  engaged.  It  indeed  proved,  as  he  had  stated,  a  Colonel's 
commission,  from  the.  source  above  mentioned,  enclosing 
another  document,  signed  by  the  same  Committee,  authorizing 
Arnold  to  raise  troops  in  Massachusetts,  or  elsewhere,  to  the 
number  of  four  hundred,  and  march  them  for  the  reduction  of 
Ticonderoga. 

"  Now,  sir,  where  is  your  commission?  I  should  like  to  see  it 
in  turn,"  said  Arnold,  addressing  Allen,  and  advancing  with  an 
air  of  triumph,  as  soon  as  the  examination  of  his  credentials, 
which  he  supposed  must  silence  all  further  question  of  the  right 
he  had  assumed,  was  completed. 

"My  commission?  "  promptly  replied  Allen,  by  no  means  dis 
turbed  by  this  unexpected  demand,  though  in  fact  he  had  no 
paper  commission  to  show,  as  the  council  appointing  him  had 
not  deemed  such  an  instrument  essential;  "where  is  my  com 
mission,  do  you  ask?  There,  sir!"  he  continued,  pointing  to 
his  troops,  who,  understanding  Arnold's  claim  to  take  command 
of  them,  already  began  to  exhibit  visible  tokens  of  displeasure  at 
the  thought  of  having  their  idolized  leader  superseded  by  a  stran 
ger,  "there,  sir!  there  it  is,  engraven  on  the  hearts  of  these  two 
hundred  and  thirty  Green  Mountain  Boys !  Trace  it  out  there 
for  yourself!  Read  it  in  their  eyes,  in  every  lineament  of  their 
countenances!  And  if  that  is  not  enough  for  you,  then  ask 
them  whether  Ethan  Allen,  who  is  getting  gray  in  their  service, 
is  to  be  thrust  aside  for  a  commander  whom  they  have  never  be 
fore  seen?" 

"Never!  no,  never!  "  fiercely  burst  from  a  hundred  lips  along 
the  lines,  while  many  indignantly  threw  down  their  arms,  and 
all,  either  by  word,  look,  or  gesture,  gave  unequivocal  indication 
of  their  determination  to  allow  no  man  to  usurp  the  place  of 
their  chosen  leader. 


170  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN  SOYS. 

The  countenance  of  Arnold,  with  all  his  assurance,  instantly 
fell  at  so  decided,  and,  to  him,  so  unexpected  a  manifestation  of 
the  disposition  of  ths  troops ;  and  he  bit  his  lips  in  vexation  and 
mortified  pride  a!;  his  defeat. 

At  this  crisis  of  the  affair,  Warrington,  fearing,  in  common 
with  the  other  officers,  that  the  altercation  might  prove  ruinous 
to  the  enterprise,  stepped  forward  and  interposed.  He  first, 
respectfully,  and  in  a,  manner  calculated  to  soothe  the  irritated 
feelings  of  Arnold,  set  forth  the  doubtfulness  of  his  right,  even 
under  the  instructions  and  commission  he  had  received,  to  assume 
the  command  of  troops  who  had  not  been  enlisted  by  him,  but 
who  had  volunteered,  without  any  knowledge  of  him  or  his  in 
structions,  and  with  the  implied  condition  that  they  should  be 
left  to  the  choice  of  their  own  leaders.  He  then  appealed  to  him 
as  a  gentleman,  a  patriot,  and  friend  to  the  common  cause, 
whether  he  would  do  well  to  insist  on  his  claim,  since  doing  so, 
as  he  must  see,  would  prove  destructive  of  their  expedition. 
This  courteous  and  well-timed  appeal,  which  opened  a  door  by 
which  Arnold  might  honorably  retreat  from  his  awkward 
position,  seemed  to  produce  on  his  mind  an  instantaneous  effect. 
The  dark  and  angry  frown,  which  had  settled  on  his  counte 
nance,  gave  way  to  a  bright  and  cheerful  look.  With  one  hand 
he  instantly  tore  the  epaulets  from  his  shoulders,  while,  with  the 
other,  he  drew  his  sword  and  threw  it  on  the  ground,  gallantly 
exclaiming, 

"Gentlemen,  I  most  cheerfully  waive  all  pretensions  to  the 
command,  which  of  right,  I  am  now  convinced,  belongs  to  the 
brave  leader  of  the  far-famed  Green  Mountain  Boys.  But  as  to 
going  with  you  on  this  glorious  enterprise,  it  is  a  privilege  which, 

by  ,  I  won't  relinquish!  Gentlemen,  will  you  furnish  me 

with  a  common  musket,  and  accept  me  as  a  volunteer  soldier  of 
your  gallant  band  ?  " 

Allen  appeared  to  be  taken  completely  aback  by  this  sudden 
declaration  of  Arnold.  His  naturally  forgiving  and  noble  dispos 
ition,  and  quick  feelings,  were  instantly  touched  with  this  mark 
of  magnanimity,  as  unexpected  to  him,  as  it  was  remarkable  in 
the  man,  being  the  most  striking,  and  perhaps  the  only  instance 
of  the  kind,  ever  displayed  by  this  brave,  but  unprincipled  offi 
cer  in  his  whole  public  career. 

"Done  like  a  man,  by  Jove!  "  exclaimed  the  chivalrous  leader 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  advancing  and  cordially  proffering 
the  other  his  hand,  while  the  tears  of  admiring  and  grateful 


'THE    GEEEN   MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  171 

emotion  fairly  started  out  on  to  his  brawny  cheekg.  "  Done  like 
a  man  and  a  hero!  Here,  God  bless  you,  give  us  your  fist! 
There  is  about  the  right  kind  of  stuff  in  you,  after  all,  my  friend. 
Will  you  accept  the  post  of  my  aid-de-camp,  with  the  rank  your 
commission  gives  you  ?  " 

"  Most  cheerfully,  sir,"  replied  the  nattered  Arnold,  waving 
his  hand  with  easy  and  grateful  courtesy. 

"  Pick  up  your  sword  and  badges,  then,  sir,"  resumed  Allen. 
"  Call  for  your  horse,  and  we  will  now  on  together,  like  brothers, 
in  the  cause  of  God  and  the  people.  Officers  and  soldiers!  "  he 
continued,  in  a  loud  and  cheering  voice,  that  rung  like  a  deep 
toned  trumpet  far  and  wide  over  field  and  forest  around,  while 
he  sprang  upon  his  impatient  charger,  and  waved  his  sword  on 
high;  "prepare  to  march!  Ethan  Allen  still  commands  you. 
Peace  is  in  the  camp,  the  Lord  on  our  side,  and  victory  before 
us!  Forward,  march!" 

Three  loud  and  lively  cheers  told  the  satisfaction  of  the  men 
at  this  double  announcement ;  and,  in  another  moment,  the  whole 
corps,  wheeling  off  to  the  brisk  and  stirring  notes  of  shrieking 
fife  and  rattling  drum,  were  sweeping  down  the  road  in  full 
march  towards  the  object  of  their  destination. 

The  route  of  the  troops  was  along  the  military  road,  which 
in  the  French  war  of  1759,  had  been  opened  from  Charleston,  on 
Connecticut  river,  across  the  Green  Mountains  to  Lake  Champlain, 
by  a  New  Hampshire  regiment,  acting  under  the  orders  of  Gen 
eral  Amherst.  This  road,  leading  directly  through  Castleton,  and 
taking  a  northerly  direction,  branched  off  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  lake,  one  fork  running  down  to  the  shore  opposite  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  the  other  proceeding  onward  to  Crown  Point. 
Although  this,  at  the  period,  was  perhaps  the  best  road  in  the 
settlement,  still  it  was  little  more  than  a  roughly  cut  path  through 
the  wilderness,  abounding,  at  this  season,  with  deep  sloughs, 
fallen  trees  and  other  obstacles  calculated  to  prevent  much  expe 
dition  in  traveling.  But  such  was  the  spirit  and  constitutional 
vigor  of  the  men,  that  a  march  of  four  or  five  hours  brought  them 
over  half  the  distance  from  their  late  rendezvous  to  their  des 
tined  landing  on  the  lake,  the  former  place  being  about  thirty 
miles  from  the  latter.  They  had  now,  for  several  miles,  been 
passing  through  a  heavy  unbroken  forest,  and  the  mounted  offi 
cers,  riding  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  the  men,  were  anxious 
ly  looking  forward  for  a  clearing,  or  some  suitable  place  to  halt 
for  a  mid-day  refreshment, 


172  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

"There!  "  said  Allen,  turning  to  bis  companions,  as  the  sound 
of  a  falling  tree  came  booming  through  the  forest  from  a  dis 
tance,  "  did  you  hear  that?  We  are  nearly  through  these  endless 
woods  at  last,  it  seems." 

"Is  that  so  clearly  proved  by  the  falling  of  a  tree?"  asked 
Arnold,  who  was  but  little  of  a  woodman."  "  Old  trees,  I  thought 
like  old  men,  often  fell  without  human  agency." 

"  True,  sir,"  rejoined  Allen,  "  but  human  agency  brought  that 
tree  to  the  ground ;  and  it  stood  beside  some  opening,  too,  or  I 
will  agree  to  be  reckoned,  like  the  prophets  of  old,  without  honor 
in  my  own  country." 

" Colonel  Allen  is  right,"  observed  Warrington :  "The  falling 
of  a  green  tree  always  produces  a  dull,  heavy,  lumbering  sound, 
such  as  we  just  heard,  occasioned  by  the  air  it  gathers,  or  more 
properly,  perhaps,  disturbs  in  its  course ;  while  the  sound  of  a 
dry  tree  in  falling  is  sharper,  and  comes  with  a  single  jar  to  the 
ear.  That  this  tree  stood  near  an  opening,  is  sufficiently  evident 
from  the  echoes  that  followed  the  first  sound,  which,  in  this  flat 
land,  could  only  be  produced  by  the  reverberating  woods-wall  of 
an  opening.  Yes.  the  Colonel  is  correct:  I  can  now  hear  the 
chopper's  blows  quite  distinctly." 

The  falling  of  another  tree  in  the  same  direction  here  inter 
rupted  the  conversation;  while  the  axeman's  blows,  sounding  in 
the  distance,  and  in  the  tranquil  medium  through  which  they  were 
conveyed  to  the  ear,  like  the  ticking  of  a  clock  in  the  stillness  of 
night,  could  now  plainly  be  heard  by  all.  In  two  or  three 
moments,  a  third  tree  came  thundering  to  the  earth.  Another, 
and  yet  another  followed  at  equally  brief  intervals,— the  noise 
attending  each  successive  fall,  as  well  as  that  of  the  fast  repeating 
blows  of  the  chopper,  who  was  causing  such  destruction  among 
the  sturdy  tenants  of  the  forest,  all  growing  more  loud  and  dis 
tinct  as  the  party  approached. 

"There  must  be  more  than  one  of  them,"  observed  Colonel 
Easton,  "  to  level  so  large  trees  at  that  rapid  rate." 

"No,  sir,"  replied  Warrington;  "the  regular,  and  non- 
interfering  sounds  of  those  blows  indicate  but  one  axe-man. 
You  have  not  witnessed  so  much  of  the  execution  of  which  our 
Green  Mountain  Boys  are  capable,  as  I  trust  you  will  within 
twenty-four  hours,  Colonel.  At  all  events,  the  fate  of  a  tree 
under  the  sinewy  arms  of  one  of  them,  is  very  soon  decided." 

"This  fellow,  however,"  remarked  Allen,  "does  indeed,  lay  to 
it,  with  a  will.  I  think  he  must  make  a  good  soldiers-,  and  aa 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  173 

such,  he  shall  go  with  us,  if  of  the  right  way  of  thinking —  if  not, 
as  a  prisoner;  for  it  behooves  us  now,  to  know  pretty  well  the 
character  of  every  man  who  is  permitted  to  remain  behind." 

The  party  now  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  man  who  had  been 
the  subject  of  their  conversation.  He  had  made  an  opening  in 
the  forest  of  about  two  acres,  which  he  was  rapidly  enlarging. 
Having  just  leveled  one  large  tree,  he  was  now  bending  his  tall 
frame  in  an  attack  upon  another,  a  giant  hemlock,  standing  near 
the  road,  and  had  struck  two  or  three  blows,  sending  the  blade 
of  his  axe  into  the  huge  circumference  up  to  the  helve  at  every 
stroke;  when  the  tramp  of  the  approaching  party  reached  his 
ear,  causing  him  to  suspend  and  look  around  him. 

"As  I  live,  it  is  Pete  Jones!"  exclaimed  Warrington,  "just 
beginning  upon  his  new  pitch,  which  he  mentioned  to  us." 

"Good!"  said  Allen,  "I  am  glad  we  have  come  across  the 
droll  devil.  But  we  will  furnish  him  with  business  a  notch 
or  two  above  that:  the  Red  Coats  need  leveling  a  cursed  sight 
more  than  the  trees,  at  this  crisis.  If  nothing  more,  he  shall  lend 
us  that  everlasting  long  body  of  his  for  a  ladder  to  scale  the  walls 
of  Old  Ti. !  Jupiter!  if  Frederick  of  Prussia  had  a  regiment  of 
such  chaps,  how  the  fellow  would  brag!  Hallo,  there!"  he 
added,  dashing  forward  towards  the  woodsman,  who  stood  gazing 
with  an  expression  of  quizzical  wonder,  now  at  the  approaching 
cavalcade  of  officers  near  by,  and  now  straining  forward  his  long 
neck  to  get  a  view  of  the  lengthened  columns  of  the  men,  just 
beginning  to  make  their  appearance  in  the  distance. 

"Well,  hallo,  it  is,  then,  Colonel,  if  there's  nothing  better  to 
be  said,"  responded  Jones,  after  waiting  an  instant  to  see  if  the 
other  was  going  to  proceed.  "  But  now  I  think  on't,  Colonel, 
where  did  you  get  so  much  folks  ?  By  Jehu !  how  they  string 
along  yonder!  Why,  there's  more  than  a  hundred  slew  of 
men  coming!  And  then  what  pokerish-looking  tools  they've  all 
got !  Now  I  wonder  if  they  ain't  a  going  a  visiting  over  to  Old 
Ti.,  or  somewhcres  ?" 

"I  should  not  be  surprised  if  something  of  that  kind  should 
prove  the  case,"  replied  Allen,  laughing.  "But  what  are  you 
about,  that  you  have  not  joined  us  in  the  proposed  visit  ? " 

"  Why,  I  calculate  to  be  about  this  old  hemlock  till  I  get  it 
down,  Colonel." 

"  Nonsense,  you  ninny !  Why  were  you  not  up  to  Castleton  last 
night  ? " 

"Now,  don't  fret,  Colonel,— I  did  think  of  it,   honestly;  buf 


174  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

knowing  you  must  all  come  this  way,  I  thought  I  might  as  well 
be  making  a  small  beginning  here  till  you  got  on.  And  so  I  put 
in  yesterday  a  little,  and  have  now  let  in  heaven's  light  on  sornn 
thing  over  two  acres,  I  calculate.  But  if  you  are  expecting  to 
have  pretty  funny  times  of  it  over  there,  I  don't  much  care  if  I— 
that  is,  I'll  think  of  it,  after  I  have  brought  the  top  of  this  old 
hemlock  a  little  lower —  " 

"  Your  most  obedient,  Captain  Jones,"  gaily  exclaimed  War- 
rington,  now  riding  up. 

"Captain  of  what?"  asked  Jones,  a  little  puzzled  to  know  \ 
whether  he  was  to  receive  this  address  as  a  joke,  and  let  off  one 
of  his  own  in  return,  or  whether  something  serious  was  intended 
by  it:  "Captain  of  what? — of  the  Surveyor,  that  I  sent  over 
the  York  line,  a  day  or  two  ago,  by  a  gentle  touch  with  my  foot 
on  nis  northerly  parts  ?  " 

"No,  seriously  Jones,"  said  Allen,  "in  organizing,  last  night, 
we  deemed  it  best  to  have  a  small  band  of  scouts,  of  whom  you 
was  fairly  voted  in  the  Captain,  or  Scout-master,  if  you  like  the 
name  better.  No  man  in  the  settlement  can  go  before  you  in  per 
forming  the  duties  of  this  post.  Will  you,  without  more  words, 
accept  it,  and  join  us?  " 

"  Can't  you  let  me  stop  to  cut  this  tree  down  first  ?  'Twont 
take  scarce  a  minute,  Colonel." 

"  No,  the  men  are  at  hand.  We  did  think  to  find  a  spot  to 
halt  and  dine  here,  but  as  I  see  neither  place  nor  water,  we  must 
on  till  we  find  them.  How  soon  shall  we  meet  with  such  a 
place  ?  " 

"  Let  me  see,  as  the  blind  man  said— Oh  !  there  is  a  cute  little 
beauty  of  a  brook,  with  smooth  banks,  that's  just  your  sorts,  not 
half  a  mile  ahead." 

"Fall  in  here  with  the  troops  then.    But  where  is  your  rifle ? " 

"Hard  by  there,  under  a  log,"  replied  Pete.  "I'll  warrant 
you  never  catch  me  far  separated  from  old  Trusty,  with  a  good 
store  of  bullets,  to  go  on  such  errands  as  she  and  I  have  a  mind 
to  send  them.  Well,  old  axe,"  he  added  in  an  undertone,  as  he 
took  up  the  implement  to  which  he  seemed  addressing  himself, 
and  carried  it  round  to  the  back  side  of  the  tree,  "  the  Colonel 
thinks  it  best  that  you  and  I  should  bid  each  other  good-bye, 
for  a  short  time ;  and  there !  you  may  sit  in  that  nook  between 
those  two  roots  till  I  come  back  again. — 

4  So  now  in  the  wars  I  go,  I  go, 
AH  for  to  go  a  sodjering. 

Trol,  lol,  lol  de  lajly.'" 


THE    GREEK    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  175 

And  thus,  in  the  prompt  spirit  of  the  times,  and  with  the 
characteristic  sang  froid  of  the  man,  this  jolly  and  fearless  woods 
man,  drawing  out  his  rifle  from  under  an  old  log,  and  cheerily 
trouling  the  above  quoted  catch  of  some  homely  old  song,  with  a 
chorus  of  his  own  making,  fell  into  the  ranks  of  the  troops  then 
passing,  having  left  his  favorite  axe,  for  which  he  seemed  to  have 
contracted  a  sort  of  fellow-feeling,  standing  behind  the  tree,  on 
which  we  found  him  engaged,  where  it  was  destined  to  remain  un 
regarded  by  its  owner,  during  a  great  part  of  the  revolutionary  war ; 
— and  where,  on  returning,  after  many  years  cf  hardship  and 
danger,  spent  in  bravely  battling  for  his  country's  freedom,  he 
found  it,  in  the  same  place  and  position,  safe  and  uninjured,  ex 
cept  in  the  thick  coat  of  rust  that  had  gathered  over  it — an  inci 
dent  of  olden  times,  well  known  as  a  historical  fact  by  many  in 
that  section  of  the  country  where  it  occurred. 

The  spot  described  by  Jones  being  found  and  appropriated,  the 
troops  partook  of  a  dinner  from  the  provisions  of  their  packs,  after 
which  they  were  allowed  an  hour's  rest,  which  was  enlivened,  as 
they  were  seated  along  the  mossy  banks  of  the  gurgling  rivulet, 
with  song,  tale,  and  jest,  till  the  deep  recesses  of  the  forest  rang 
with  the  sounds  of  their  merriment.  While  the  officers,  who  were 
seated  in  a  group  by  themselves,  were  consulting  their  watches, 
and  awaiting  the  moment  set  by  them  for  resuming  their  march,  a 
horseman,  approaching  from  the  west,  suddenly  rode  up,  dis 
mounted,  and  stood  before  them. 

"Ah!  Phelps  ! "  exclaimed  Colonel  Allen,  springing  up  and 
shaking  the  new  comer  heartily  by  the  hand,  "is  it  possible? — 
a  spy  returned  unhung  from  a  British  fort  ?  Well,  sir,  what  news 
from  the  camp  of  the  Philistines? " 

"  Almost  every  thing  we  could  wish,  gentlemen, "  replied  the  per 
son  addressed,  a  Connecticut  gentleman  of  considerable  shrewd 
ness  and  address,  who  had  been  despatched  a  day  or  two  previous 
to  go  over  to  the  fort,  enter  it  on  some  feigned  errand,  and  gain 
the  best  knowledge  of  its  situation  the  circumstances  would  per 
mit.  "I  have  been  within  the  fort — mostly  over  the  works — staid 
iliere  last  night,  and  ca^ne  away  unsuspected  this  morning." 

Phelps  then  proceeded  to  give  an  account  of  the  manner  he  had 
effected  his  discoveries  at  the  fort,  without  exciting  the  suspicions 
of  the  garrison,  relative  to  the  object  of  his  visit — how,  in  the  as 
sumed  character  of  a  green  country  bumpkin,  he  made  it  his  osten 
sible  errand  to  see  a  war-cannon,  and  also  the  strange  man  what 
shared  other  men,  called  a  barber — how  the  soldiers  laughed  at  hig 


176  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN  BOT8. 

pretended  ignorance,  and  the  officers,  coming  to  see  th^  green 
Yankee,  amused  themselves  by  questioning  him,  and  listening  to 
his  replies,  at  which  they  were  amazingly  tickled,  and  then  ordered 
a  twenty-four  pounder  to  be  fired,  for  the  fun  of  witnessing  the 
prodigious  fright,  into  which  the  report  appeared  to  throw  him. 
And,  finally,  having  induced  him,  after  many  entreaties,  to  permit 
the  barber  to  shave  him,  how  they  all  stood  by  to  s^e  the  perform- 
ance,  laughing  heartily  at  the  wincing  and  woful  countenances  he 
assumed,  and  the  fears  he  pretended  of  having  his  throat  cut. 

After  finishing  his  diverting  description  of  this  part  of  his  ad 
ventures,  he  detailed  with  great  accuracy  the  situation  of  the 
fortress,  the  names  and  grades  of  the  officers,  and  the  number  of 
the  garrison. 

"  But,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  in  conclusion,  "there  is  one  ques 
tion  which  I  will  no  longer  delay  to  ask  you.  Have  you  made 
provision  for  boats  to  transport  the  troops  across  the  lake  ?  There 
is  not  a  single  craft  larger  than  a  skiff  on  this  side,  just  now,  with 
in  ten  miles  of  the  fort." 

"God  forgive  me  the  oversight!"  exclaimed  Allen.  "We 
must  instantly  set  measures  on  foot  for  reparing  it.  Douglass — 
Lieutenant  Douglass,  step  forward  here  a  moment  !  What  boats 
are  there  this  side  the  lake  to  the  north  of  this?  " 

"  An  excellent  scow  for  our  purpose  is  owned  by  the  Smiths,  a 
few  miles  this  side  of  Crown  Point,"  replied  the  blue-eyed  and 
broad-shouldered  descendant  of  his  Caledonian  namesakes,  step 
ping  promptly  forward,  and  comprehending  at  a  glance  the  emer 
gency  that  produced  the  question. 

' '  The  Smiths  ?  Good  !  They  are  with  us,  too,  in  heart,  and 
should  be  also  in  person,"  rejoined  the  Colonel.  ''Well,  their 
scow  we  must  have  at  all  events.  And  you,  Douglass,  are  the  very 
man  to  go  and  get  it.  Will  you  do  it  ?  " 

"I  am  the  very  man  who  is  willing  to  try,  Colonel  Allen,"  an 
swered  the  other. 

"  And  can  you  reach  the  landing  against  Ti.  with  it  by  nine 
o'clock  this  evening  ?  " 

"Hardly,  I  fear,  It  is  nearly  a  dozen  miles;  but  I'll  do  my  best, 
Colonel." 

"  Go,  then,  as  if  the  devil  kicked  you  on  end.  The  salvation  of 
our  project  may  depend  upon  your  getting  back  in  season.  But 
stay  1  We  must  have  more  boats  than  one.  To  the  South,  I  know 
of  none.  Perhaps  you  may  meet  with  some  going  up  or 
down  the  lake,  which  might  be  pressed  into  the  service;  or,  m 


THE    GRttEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  177 

the  last  resort,  one  might  possibly  be  got  away  from  Crown  Point 
without  a  discovery  which  would  endanger  us.  Another  man, 
however,  will  be  wanted  for  any  of  these  purposes,  besides  the 
oarsmen  you  will  pick  up  on  your  way.  And — Jones!  this  way! 
Have  you  heard  what  we  are  at?  Very  well.  You  are  just  the 
chap  to  go  on  this  hap-hazard  errand.  What  say  you  ?  Can  you 
bring  any  thing  to  pass,  if  we  send  you?  '* 

"Why,  I  can't  exactly  say,  Colonel,"  replied  Jones,  placing 
his  feet  astride,  and  looking  up  with  one  eye  queerly  cocked  on 
his  interrogator,  while  the  other  was  tightly  closed  :  "  I  ain't  so 
much  of  a  water  fowl  as  some ;  but,  perhaps,  I  rnought  make 
fetch  come  a  little." 

"  Pack  up  then,  and  be  off  with  Douglass  in  two  minutes;  and 
remember,  both  of  you,  if  you  fail  us — " 

"Then  what?"  asked  Jones,  suddenly  stopping  and  looking 
back,  "I  don't  calculate  to  be  over  particular,  Colonel,  but  if  it 
wouldn't  be  too  much  trouble,  I  should  like  to  know  that,  before 
we  start." 

"You  shall  be  doomed  to  sit, forty  days  and  nights  in  sack 
cloth  and  ashes,"  humorously  said  Allen. 

"By  Jonah!"  exclaimed  Pete,  "  the  boats  shall  be  there  by 
the  time,  Colonel!  " 

While  the  latter  part  of  this  dialogue  was  going  on,  Warring- 
ton  stood  with  his  back  to  the  company,  with  one  foot  on  a  log, 
busily  engaged  in  writing  with  his  pencil  on  a  blank  leaf,  torn 
from  his  pocket  book  and  placed  on  his  knee. 

"Aha!  my  lad,"  said  Allen,  in  a  playful  undertone,  as  ho 
approached  the  former,  and  significantly  placed  one  finger  on  his 
shoulder,  "more  faith  now,  than  when  we  two  were  lying  on  the 
hay,  in  the  Captain's  barn,  waiting  for  oar  rifles,  eh? " 

"  I  really  wish  you  would  mind  your  own  business,  Colonel,1' 
replied  Warriugton,  with  affected  anger. 

"  Well,  well, "  resumed  Allen,  laughing,  "send  it,  my  boy. 
Mars,  they  say,  never  prospers  so  well  as  when  he  has  Cupid  in 
his  train,  in  any  case.  But  with  such  a  piece  of  God's  handy- 
work,  as  yours,  to  incite  to  action — heavens!  if  the  knights  of 
old  had  been  blest  with  such  lady-loves,  they  would  never  have 
needed  to  carry  half  a  hundred  weight  of  old  iron  on  their  lub 
berly  carcasses  to  make  them  heroes." 

Stripping  off  their  coats  to  fit  them  for  a  rapid  march,  these 
athletic  and  resolute  woodsmen  now  seized  their  rifles,  took  a 
glance  at  the  sun  for  a  hasty  calculation  of  the  bearing  of  the 


ITS  THJS    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

course  to  be  taken  to  lead  them  to  their  proposed  destination, 
and,  plunging  into  the  woods,  were  soon  lost  to  the  sight  of  theh 
companions. 

A  small  guard  was  then  sent  on  in  advance,  with  orders  to 
pick  up  and  detain  every  man  on  the  road,  not  in  the  secret  of 
the  expedition.  Scouts  to  range  the  woods  on  the  right  and 
left,  were  also  dispatched  for  the  same  purpose ;  after  which  the 
main  body  of  the  forces  quietly  resumed  their  march  for  the 
lake. 


CHAPTER  H. 


'There  are  strange  movements  among  all  the  troop, 
And  no  one  knows  the  same." 


LEAVING  Allen  and  his  companions  in  arms  to  make  their  way 
to  the  lake  shore,  we  will  now,  by  way  of  marking  the  progress 
of  the  two  active  foresters,  who  had  been  despatched  northward 
for  boats,  change  the  scene,  for  a  short  time,  to  the  quiet  resi 
dence  of  Captain  Hendee. 

It  was  a  little  past  sunset  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which 
the  events  last  described  transpired.  It  had  been  a  day  of  un 
usual  stillness  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Grants.  The  lively 
pounds  of  the  plying  axemen,  which  were  usually  heard  ringing 
through  the  forests  in  every  direction,  were  all  hushed.  The 
women  went  a  visiting,  and  were  seen  to  whisper  in  the  corners 
apart  from  the  children.  The  boys  finished  their  tasks  by  noon, 
and  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  were  sauntering  round  the  brooks 
with  their  fishing-poles.  All  the  active  men  had  disappeared  ; 
though  no  one  mentioned  aloud  the  cause  of  their  absence.  And 
a  sort  of  Sabbath-day  quiet  and  inaction  seemed  to  prevail  over 
all  this  section  of  the  settlement.  Captain  Hendee  was  sitting 
in  his  open  door,  enjoying,  as  usual,  his  evening  pipe,  and 
wrapped  in  that  placid  and  contemplative  mood  to  which  this 
indulgence  generally  disposes.  His  daughter  was  seated  near 
him  at  a  window,  in  an  attitude  equally  calm  and  contemplative 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  179 

though  engrossed  with  reflections,  probably,  of  a  far  different  na 
ture  :  for  her  fair  white  hand  rested  on  a  small  volumo  lying  on 
the  window-sill  before  her,  opened  upon  those  heart-melting  strains 
of  the  hapless  Eloise,  which  Pope,  that  master  of  rhyme  and  mar- 
rer  of  reason,  sung  with  such  seductive  sweetness  ;  and  her  tear- 
moistened  eye  was  fixed,  pensively  and  unobservant,  on  the  slum 
bering  waters  of  the  outspread  lake ;  while  occasionally  a  gentle 
sigh,  betokening  the  inward  conflicts  of  hope  and  fear,  was  heav 
ing  her  snowy  bosom.  While  the  father  and  daughter  were  thus 
seated,  and  their  minds  thus  absorbed  in  their  differert  trains  of 
reflection,  their  attention  was  suddenly  arrested  by  the  sounds  of 
advancing  footsteps. 

"By  all  the  saints  in  the  calendar!"  exclaimed  the  Captain, 
after  gazing  an  instant  in  surprise  at  the  striking  proportions  of 
our  young  Anak  of  the  woods,  for  it  was  no  other  than  Pete  Jones, 
who,  at  the  distance  of  eight  or  ten  rods,  was  now  seen  stalking 
towards  the  house ,  ' '  what  a  cloud-brusher  is  there,  Alma !  Can 
you  imagine  who  he  may  be  ?  " 

"  No,  father,"  replied  Alma,  who  was  also  looking  at  the  ap 
proaching  visitor  with  an  expression  of  mingled  wonder  and  curi 
osity  ;  "  but  I  just  noticed  that  Young  Tyler  and  Wilcox  of  this 
neighborhood  passed  beyond  the  barn  yonder,  and  I  conclude  that 
this  man  is  some  friend  of  theirs.  They  are  probably  all  going  on 
some  fishing  excursion.  The  man,  I  presume,  wishes  to  get  a  little 
fire  for  this  purpose." 

By  this  time  Jones  had  reached  the  door  in  which  the  Captain 
was  sitting. 

"  Q-ood  evening  !  Will  you  walk  in,  sir  ?  "  said  the  latter  in  an 
indifferent  tone,  and  without  moving,  as  if  he  expected  the  other 
would  decline  the  invitation,  and  announce  his  errand  at  his  door. 

"Why,  yes,  I  may  as  well,  replied  Jones,  offering  to  pass  in 
without  appearing  to  notice  the  hesitating  and  enquiring  look  of 
the  Captain,  who  now  at  once  yielded  the  space  to  his  guest. 
"You  see  I  was  bred  to  manners,"  continued  the  woodsman,  jo 
cosely  bowing,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  enter  the  door. 

The  Captain,  smiling  good  naturedly  at  the  remark,  handed 
Jones  a  chair,  took  another  himself,  and  waited  in  silence,  and 
with  the  same  expecting  air  as  before,  for  the  stranger  to  name  his 
business.  This,  however,  Jones  did  not  seem  ready  to  make 
known,  but  continued  sitting  in  silence,  with  a  puzzled  and  unde 
cided  air,  as  if  greatly  at  loss  what  to  say,  or  how  to  bring  about 
some  object  he  had  in  view,  now  glancing  at  the  Captain,  now 


180  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

at  the  different  objects  about  the  room,  and  now  at  Miss  Hendee, 
on  whom  his  eyes  lingered  with  an  expression  of  unfeigned 
admiration. 

"  Very  fine  weather,  this,"  remarked  the  Captain,  by  way  of 
breaking  the  silence,  which  he  seemed  to  think  was  becoming  a 
little  awkward. 

"  Very;  considering  the  times,  and  the  state  of  the  nation,"  re 
sponded  Pete,  dryly,  and  with  the  manner  of  one  who  would  show 
that  he  is  too  busy  in  thought  to  engage  in  conversation. 

The  Captain  then  made  some  other  common-place  observation, 
which  met  with  no  reply  of  any  kind ;  when  finding  himself  thus 
defeated  in  every  attempt  to  draw  the  other  into  conversation,  and 
tired  of  waiting  for  him  to  name  his  errand,  he  withdrew  his  at- 
tion,  and  sunk  into  his  own  reveries. 

After  Jones  had  set  a  while  longer  chewing  his  cud  of  perplexi 
ty,  a  change  appeared  suddenly  to  come  over  him.  A  flash  of  in 
telligence  and  decision  lit  up  his  countenance.  And,  after  drop 
ping  his  head  an  instant,  as  if  settling  the  details  of  a  plan  which 
he  appeared  to  have  hit  upon,  he  slowly  drew  up  his  features  into 
a  sober  and  troubled  air,  and  began  to  catch  his  breath,  and  shiver 
all  over,  like  a  man  taken  with  an  ague  fit.  He  then  rose,  tottled 
across  the  floor  to  the  hearth,  raked  open  the  fire  and  spread  his 
shaking  hands  over  the  coals,  at  the  same  time  attempting  to  speak 
us  he  observed  the  eyes  of  the  Captain  and  his  daughter  were 
turned  upon  him  with  a  look  of  lively  concern. 

"O,  nev — nevermind!" — he  said,  articulating  with  great  ap 
parent  difficulty,  in  his  attempt  to  quiet  their  alarm, — "'twill 
s — s — soon  be  o — o — over  now — though  the —  the — these  swamp  ag 
— ag — agues  are  bad  while  they  last.  You,  you  don't — keep — 
keep  great  fires— here — I— I — I  see." 

'•'  We  will  have  one  in  a  moment,  my  friend,"  said  the  Captain, 
leaping  up  at  this  hint,  and  hobbling  out  of  doors  after  wood,  with 
unwonted  activity. 

No  sooner  was  the  old  gentleman  fairly  out  of  sight  than  Jones's 
malady  entirely  disappeared.  He  quickly  drew  out  a  billet,  and 
turning,  tossed  it  into  the  lap  of  the  astonished  Miss  Hendee. 

"Here,  mum,"  said  he,  in  a  low,  confidential  tone,  "there  's  no 
time  to  be  polite;  but  read  that,  and  if  you  want  to  scrabble  off 
two  lines,  or  so,  in  answer,  contrive  to  get  it  into  my  old  hat  there 
on  the  table,  in  almost  no  time,  as  I'm  in  a  taking  of  a  hurry.  But 
stay,  where's  the  Indian  ?  " 

"  He  has  gone  to  take  a  letter  for  me  to  Major  Skene's  colored 


THE    GHEEX    MOUNT ATN    HOYS.  181 

man,  now  lying  with  his  boat  down  here  at  the  landing,  I  believe." 
replied  the  blushing  girl,  already  on  her  way  to  her  apartment  to 
read  and  answer  the  billet,  which  a  glance  at  the  hand-writing 
told  her  was  from  her  accepted  lover. 

"That's  lucky,"  said  Jones;  "now  I  want  that  chap  to  go 
with  us.  We  have  got  a  trifling  chore  to  do  to-night  somewhere 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Old  Ti.  Had  I  better  speak  to  the  old 
gentleman  about  his  going  or  not  !  " 

"  My  father  should  be  consulted,  and  yet" — answered  Alma, 
hesitating  lest  the  suggested  application  to  Captain  Hendee 
might  in  some  way  lead  to  a  discovery  of  her  own  secret — "I 
heard  him  promise  Neshobee's  services  to  Colonel  Allen  for  such 
an  emergency.  Perhaps  you  had  better  consult  no  one  but  Nesh- 
obee  himself,  and  if  he  is  willing  to  go,  I  will  stand  his  friend 
in  defending  the  delinquency,  if  such  it  be." 

Captain  Hendee  now  returned  with  the  wood,  and  found  Pete's 
ague  much  as  he  left  it.  But  as  the  fire  blazed  up  from  the  light 
combustibles  which  had  been  thrown  on  to  it,  the  attack  seemed 
gradually  to  subside.  Meanwhile,  Alma  had  retired,  read  the 
brief  out -pouring  of  her  lover's  heart,  and  penned  in  answer — 

"  From  my  heart  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  note.  All  as  yet 
remains  undiscovered, — painful,  painful  exigency!  which  com 
pels  concealment  of  so  important  a  step  from  an  only  parent! 
And  yet  I  regret  not  my  troth ;  and  whatever  of  sorrow  it  may  cost 
me,  I  will  not  repine  at  the  fruit  of  a  tree  of  my  own  planting. 
Heaven  preserve  you,  my  very  dear  friend,  in  the  hour  of  peril, 
and  crown  with  success  your  efforts  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

Yours,  but  too  truly, 

A.  H." 

By  the  time  Alma  had  completed  her  note,  and  managed  on 
her  return  to  the  room,  to  slip  it,  unobserved,  into  the  designated 
place  of  deposit,  Jones  had  so  far  recovered  from  his  pretended 
indisposition,  that  he  announced  himself  in  a  condition  for  pro 
ceeding  on  his  way.  And  taking  a  coal  of  fire  between  a  couple 
of  chips,  by  way  of  accounting  to  the  Captain  for  his  call,  and 
stopping  a  moment  to  listen  to  the  sage  nostrums  recommended 
l>y  his  host  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  his  ague,  he  departed, 
and  jained  his  two  newly  enlisted  associates,  who  were  impatient 
ly  awaiting  his  coming  in  the  adjoining  field.  It  being  now  suffi 
ciently  dusk  to  prevent  all  observation  from  the  opposite  garrison, 


182  THE    GREEK    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

they  proceeded  immediately  to  the  lauding,  which  they  found 
guarded  by  two  Green  Mountain  Boys,  who,  making  fishing  their 
ostensible  business,  had,  in  pursuance  of  the  arrangement  before 
mentioned,  closely  watched  the  place  during  the  two  proceeding 
days.  Here,  also,  they  met  Neshobee,  who  had  just  returned  in  a 
skiff,  from  Major  Skene's  scow,  in  possession,  as  before  intimated, 
of  a  stout  negro,  who,  with  two  low,  sottish  fellows  under  his 
command,  having  spent  that  day  at  the  fort  to  take  in  some  load 
ing,  and  visit  the  soldiers  previous  to  starting  for  home,  as  they 
intended  to  do,  the  next  morning,  had  come  over  just  at  night  and 
taken  a  fishing  station  near  the  landing.  Jones  and  his  compan 
ions  hesitated  not  to  open  their  project  of  obtaining  this  boat  to 
Neshobee,  who  very  cheerfully  agreed  to  co-operate  with  them 
in  duping  the  negro,  and  to  assist  in  rowing  the  boat  up  to  the 
landing,  where  they  were  to  be  met  by  Allen's  forces.  The  boat 
was  lying  about  a  dozen  rods  from  the  shore;  and  black  Jack,  as 
he  was  called,  and  his  men,  having  pulled  up  their  anchor,  were 
now  on  the  point  of  putting  back  for  the  fort ;  when  the  party  on 
shore,  their  plan  of  operations  being  all  arranged,  hailed  the  black 
commander,  and  desired  him  to  haul  up  to  the  landing. 

"  Who  the  debil  you,  who  want  me  do  all  dat  for  netting  ?  " 
replied  Jack,  in  a  swaggering,  consequential  tone. 

"O,  pull  up  to  the  shore,"  said  Wilcox,  ';  there  are  three  or 
four  of  us  here  who  are  wishing  to  make  a  bargain  with  you. " 

"Bargain,  hey?  you  shackaroons,  you!  You  tink  for  play 
some  deblish  trick,  don't  you?  Guess  you  find  out  you  no 
catch  weazel  sleep  so  easy  as  all  dat  come  to!"  responded  the 
negro,  chuckling  at  his  own  wit  and  sagacity. 
1  "  No,  now,  honestly,  Captain  Jack,"  rejoined  the  first  speaker, 
"  we  want  to  go  to  Shoreham  landing  to  night,  to  be  ready  to 
join  a  wolf  hunt  which  they  are  going  to  start  there  early  to 
morrow  morning." 

"  Gosh  all  fire-lock !"  exclaimed  the  black,  whose  opinion  of 
his  own  importance  was  greatly  raised  by  being  addressed  as 
Captain:  "You tink  I  row  my  boat  all  de  way  op  dar  in  de  dark 
jest  for  commodate  you?  No!  see  you  all  clam  fus!  " 

"Now  you  are  too  bad,  Captain;  but  you  won't  damn  our  jug 
of  old  Jamaica,  that  we  intended  to  offer  you  for  carrying  us  up 
there,  will  you?  "  said  the  other,  taking  a  jug  from  under  his  coat 
and  swinging  it  over  his  head,  so  that  the  black,  whose  taste  for 
liquor  was  well  known  to  the  young  men,  might  catch  a  view  of 
it  in  the  twilight. 


TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  183 

"  What  you  say,  dere?"  eagerly  said  Jack,  stretching  forward 
his  neck  to  see,  and  make  sure  of  the  existence  of  the  tempting 
implement. 

"  We  say,"  replied  the  former,  "  that  here  is  a  gallon  of  as  good 
rum  as  ever  run  down  your  throat,  which  is  at  your  service,  if  you 
will  close  the  bargain.  Come,  give  us  your  answer,  for  if  we 
can't  make  a  trade  with  you,  we  must  be  off  for  a  boat  some 
where  else.  What  say  you  ? — and  mind  ye,  we  will  lend  you  a 
stiff  hand  at  the  oars  to  boot." 

' '  You  help  row  de  boat,  you  say  ? "  answered  Jack,  in  an 
altered  and  yielding  tone.  "  Why  de  debil  you  no  say  so  fore? 
Dat  be  a  case  dat  alter  de  circumstance.  You  werry  much  to 
blame,  gemmen,  dat  you  no  mention  so  portant  a  difference  in  fus 
place,"  added  the  negro,  while  he  and  his  men  headed  round  the 
boat,  and  handled  the  oars  with  such  effect  that  nearly  the  next 
moment  she  was  lying  at  the  landing. 

Within  five  minutes  from  this  time,  the  magic  jug,  which  had 
effected  such  a  wonderful  change  in  the  aspect  of  affairs,  having 
been  well  tested  in  the  meanwhile  by  Jack  and  his  associates,  all 
hands  were  stript  and  bending  to  the  oars  of  the  old  scow,  which, 
under  the  forceful  strokes  of  Jones  and  his  party,  aided  by  the 
rum-power  of  Jack's  two  besotted  boatmen,  was  surging  through 
the  waters  towards  the  south,  as  fast  as  their  united  strength 
would  drive  her. 

They  were  soon  met,  however,  by  puffs  of  south  wind,  against 
which  they  found  it  impossible  to  make  but  a  very  slow  headway. 
And  it  was  not  till  considerable  past  midnight  that  they  came  to 
the  last  reach,  and  hove  in  sight  of  the  destined  landing.  But 
here,  overhauling  Douglass  with  the  other  scow,  and  the  party  he 
had  enlisted  to  help  man  it,  both  boats,  with  renewed  efforts  of 
rival  speed,  pushed  forward  for  the  appointed  shore. 

"Boat  ahoy  ! "  called  out  Allen  from  the  landing,  where,  as  the 
boats  neared  the  place,  his  huge,  tower-like  form,  rising  in  bold 
relief  over  the  stationary  group  of  officers  around  him,  could  now 
plainly  be  discerned  by  the  approaching  crews;  "boat  ahoyl  who 
comes  there  ? " 

"Douglass  and  friends,  in  this,"  was  the  reply  from  the  first 
boat,  coming  in  about  its  length  in  advance  of  the  other. 

"  And  who  in  the  next?  "  asked  Allen. 

"  Jones  and  a  thunder  cloud !  "  responded  the  well  known  voice 
of  the  jolly  woodsman.  "  Now  you  need  n't  think  I  am  fibbing, 
Colonel;  for  you  will  see  it  lighten  when  we  get  Ashore," 


184  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

''All  is  well,  then,"  said  Allen,  without  heeding  the  remarks  of 
Jones,  further  than  his  announcement  of  himself  with  a  boat,  "  all 
is  well,  and  glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  that  you  have  got  here  at 
last!  I  thought  you  would  have  never  come.  Why,  it  has  been 
an  age  since  dark !  Some  old  sun-stopping  Joshua  must  be  right 
ing  on  the  other  side  of  the  earth,  or,  I  swear,  it  would  have  been 
daylight  long  ago !  " 

By  this  time  the  first  boat  had  struck  the  shore,  and  the  crew, 
leaping  out,  were  all  readily  recognized  by  the  leader,  who  then 
turned  to  the  other  boat,  at  that  instant  driving  up,  with  the  as 
tonished  and  frightened  negro  (now  for  the  first  time  mistrusting  a 
trick),  gibbering  and  sputtering  aloud, — 

"  What  de  hell  all  dis  ? — who  all  dese  ?  what  pretty  dam  scrape 
you  got  me  into  here,  you  shackaroon  debils,  you  ?  " 

"  What  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  black  and  red  have  you  got 
here,  Jones  ?  "  cried  Allen,  in  surprise,  stepping  up  and  peering 
into  the  boat,  on  hearing  Jack's  exclamations. 

"Why,  just  what  I  told  you,  Colonel.  Here!  don't  you  see  it 
lighten,  now  ? "  said  Pete,  pointing  to  the  negro's  eyes,  which, 
glaring  wide  with  fear  and  astonishment,  at  what  he  saw  and 
heard,  glimmered  like  fire-bugs  in  the  dark.  "But  the  English  of 
it  is,  Colonel,  that  we  came  across  Major  Skene's  scow,  com 
manded  by  Captain  Darkey,  with  his  two  oarsmen,  here,  who  fora 
gallon  of  rum  were  kind  enough  to  bring  us  along  to  join  a 
hunting  match  at  Shoreham,  where  we  have  now  arrived,  safe 
and  sound:  "  he  continued,  turning  to  the  black,  "so  now,  Captain 
Jack,  you  have  fulfilled  your  bargain  with  us ;  and  we  have  noth 
ing  more  to  say,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned.  If  these  rough  look 
ing  chaps  here  want  to  employ  you  further,  they  will  let  you 
know  it,  likely." 

"Jones,  you  deserve  a  pension  for  life!"  exclaimed  Allen 
comprehending  the  whole  affair  in  an  instant.  "You  and  your 
friends  here,  have  killed  more  birds  with  one  stone  than  you 
dreamed  of  yourselves,  perhaps.  But  we  have  not  a  moment  to 
lose,  so  leap  out  my  lads.  And  as  to  Major  Skene's  boat,  it  is 
my  lawful  prize;  and  Major  Skene's  negro,  and  Major  Skene's 
negro's  understrappers  here,  are  all  my  prisoners !  " 

"  O,  no,  totally  unpossible  to  stop,  gernmen!"  said  Jack,  in  a 
good  lord,  good  devil  sort  of  tone,  being  doubtful  whether  they 
really  intended  to  make  him  prisoner,  or  engage  him  and  hia 
boat  to  carry  them  to  some  other  place:  " I  have  provision  for 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  183 

tie  Major's  family  aboard.  Dey  all  out  ob  supply  for  dere  neces 
sity  Quite  unpossible,  gemmcn." 

"  We  will  take  care  of  the  provisions.  So  out  with  you  in  no 
time,  yo-vi  black  Satan ! "  said  Allen,  impatiently. 

u  O,  it  be  out  ob  all  question  I  stop!  "  persisted  the  negro  with 
increasing  alarm,  "I  have  odder  portant  business — I  have  letter 
from  de  young  leddy  at  Captain  Hendee's  to  de  young  leddy  ob 
Colonel  Reed  at  de  Major's  dat  I  oblige  for  deliver,  early  in  the 
morning." 

"We  will  undertake  the  delivery  of  the  letter,"  said  Selden 
and  Warrington,  simultaneously. 

"  Tumble  them  out,  boys!  "  sterniy  exclaimed  Allen. 

"  O,  Lordy,  I  den  be  ruin!  totally,  foreber  ruin!  "  groaned 
the  distressed  and  frightened  black,  as  the  men  seized  him  and 
his  two  drunken  associates,  and  led  them  to  the  rear  to  be  put 
under  guard. 

The  boats  were  now  instantly  headed  round,  the  oars  muffled, 
careful  oarsmen  selected  and  placed  in  their  seats ;  when,  after 
each  boat  had  been  filled  with  as  many  troops  as  their  respective 
burthens  would  safely  permit,  they  pushed  off  from  the  shore, 
preceded  a  short  hailing  distance  by  a  skiff,  occupied  by  Allen 
and  Arnold,  with  Phelps  to  pilot  them  to  their  contemplated 
landing,  on  the  opposite  shore.  The  wind  had  some  time  since 
died  wholly  away ;  and  the  elements  were  now  all  hushed,  as  if 
in  the  slumbers  of  death  ;  while  the  deeply  freighted  crafts  glided 
slowly  on,  impelled  by  the  light  dip  of  the  feathery  oars,  which, 
in  the  hands  of  the  experienced  and  careful  men  who  plied  them, 
unitedly  rose  and  fell  as  noiseless  as  the  feet  of  fairies  on  beds  of 
flowers.  At  length  the  dark,  massy  walls  of  the  fortress,  loom 
ing  up,  and  marking  their  broad  outlines  against  the  western  sky, 
became  discernible  to  the  men.  And  yet,  as  they  drew  near 
these  frowning  walls,  pierced  by  a  hundred  cannon,  over  which, 
for  aught  they  knew,  the  lighted  matches  were  suspended,  await- 
'ng  but  the  signal  to  send  their  iron  showers  of  death  to  every 
man  of  their  devoted  band,  no  misgivings,  no  weak  -relenting? 
came  over  them:  but  at  a  moment  like  this,  and  that  which  fol 
lowed  at  the  onset, — moments,  furnishing,  perhaps,  a  more  un 
doubted  test  of  courage  than  those  of  the  half  frantic,  half 
mechanical  charges  of  the  disciplined  legions  of  Napoleon,  at  the 
later  fields  of  Austerlitz  and  Marcngo — at  a  moment  like  this, 
we  say,  their  stout  hearts,  nothing  daunted  at  the  dangers  before 
them,  beat  high  and  proudly  at  the  thought  of  the  coming  eri- 


186  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

counter,  and  with  stern  determination  gleaming  in  every  eye,  and 
with  the  low  whispered  words  of  impatience  for  the  moment  of 
action  to  arrive,  they  moved  steadily  on  to  the  daring  purpose. 

Passing  down  obliquely  by  the  works,  they  landed  some  dis 
tance  to  the  north  of  them.  The  instant  they  touched  the  shore 
the  troops  leaped  on  the  banks;  and  scarcely  had  the  last  foot 
been  lifted  from  the  boats  before  they  were  backed,  wheeled,  and 
on  their  return  for  another  load,  leaving  those  on  shore  to  await 
in  silence  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  from  their  companions  left 
behind,  before  marching  to  the  onset.  Those  companions,  how 
ever,  were  not  destined  to  share  in  the  glory  of  this  splendid 
achievement  of  the  eighty  Green  Mountain  Boys  who  had  landed ; 
for  in  a  few  moments,  to  the  dismay  of  Allen,  the  faint  suffusions 
of  dawning  day  became  visible  in  the  east.  Cursing  the  luck 
which  had  caused  such  delays,  and  chafing  like  a  chained  lion 
held  back  from  his  prey,  that  impetuous  leader  for  a  few  moments 
rapidly  paced  the  shore  before  his  men,  in  an  agony  of  impa 
tience  — now  casting  an  eager  look  at  the  fort,  still  silent  and 
undisturbed,  now  straining  his  vision  after  the  receding  boats, 
which,  to  him,  seemed  to  move  like  snails  across  the  waters,  and 
now  throwing  an  uneasy  glance  at  the  reddening  east,  whose 
twilight  glow,  growing  broader  and  brighter  every  instant,  plainly 
told  him  that  before  another  detachment  of  troops  could  arrive, 
his  forces  would  be  discovered,  and  the  enterprise,  in  all  proba 
bility,  would  thus  be  defeated.  Maddened  at  the  thought,  he 
stopped  short  in  his  walk,  paused  an  instant,  and  brought  his  foot 
with  a  significant  stamp  to  the  ground,  showing  that  his  resolution 
was  taken.  And  quickly  calling  out  Jones  and  Neshobee,  he 
despatched  them  to  go  forward,  cautiously  reconnolter  the  fort 
on  all  sides,  and  return  as  speedy  as  possible  to  report  their  dis 
coveries.  He  then  formed  his  men  in  three  ranks  and  addressed 
them. 

"You  see,  my  friends  and  fellow  soldiers,"  he  commenced, 
pointing  his  sword  towards  the  east,  "that  daylight  will  reveal 
us  to  the  enemy  before  a  reinforcement  can  possibly  arrive.  But 
can  you,  who  have  so  long  been  the  scourge  of  tyrants,  bring  your 
minds  to  relinquish  the  noble  enterprise,  and  with  it  the  proud 
name  you  have  achieved,  by  turning  your  backs  on  the  glorious 
prize,  when  it  ia  now  almost  within  your  grasp  ? " 

He  paused  for  a  reply;  when  "no!  no!  no!  "  ran  through  the 
lines  in  eager  responses. 

"  I  see,  I  see,  my  brave  fellows,"  resumed  the  gratified  leader, 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  187 

"I  »ce  what  you  would  do.  I  read  it  in  your  deeply  breathed 
tones  of  determination — in  your  quick  and  short  drawn  respira 
tions,  and  in  your  restless  and  impatient  movements.  But  have 
you  all  well  considered  ?  I  now  propose  to  lead  you  through 
yonder  gate ;  and  I  fear  not  to  tell  men  of  your  stamp,  that  we 
incur  no  small  hazard  of  life  in  the  attempt.  And,  as  I  would  J 
urge  no  man  to  engage  against  his  own  free  will,  I  now  give  free 
and  full  permission  to  all,  who  choose,  to  remain  behind.  You, 
therefore,  who  will  voluntarily  accompany  me,  poise  your  guns." 

Every  man's  gun  was  instantly  brougut  to  a  poise,  with  a  mo 
tion  which  told  with  what  good  will  it  was  made. 

"God  bless  you,  my  noble  fellows!  "  exclaimed  Allen,  proudly, 
and  with  emotion :  ' '  Courage  like  that  " — he  continued,  in  tones 
of  concentrated  energy,  ' '  courage  like  that,  with  hearts  of  oakt 
and  nerves  of  steel  like  yours,  must,  will,  and,  by  the  help  of  the 
God  of  hosts,  shall  triumph !  Come  on.  then !  follow  me— march 
while  I  march  —run  and  rush  when  I  set  the  example ;  and  if  I 
fall,  still  rush  on,  and  over  me,  to  vengeance  and  victory  I  To 
the  right  wheel !  march  !  " 

When  the  band  arrived  within  about  a  furlong  of  the  ramparts, 
they  were  met  by  the  scouts,  who  reported  that  all  was  quiet  in 
and  about  the  fort,  while  the  open  gate  was  guarded  only  by  one 
sluggish  and  sleepy  looking  sentinel.  Halting  no  longer  than 
was  necessary  to  hear  this  report,  Allen,  placing  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  centre  column,  silently  waved  his  sword  to  the  troops 
as  a  signal  for  resuming  the  march ;  when  they  all  again  moved 
forward  with  rapid  but  cautious  steps  towards  the  guarded  gate 
way.  And  so  noiseless  and  unexpected  was  their  approach,  that 
they  came  within  twenty  paces  of  the  entrance  before  they  were  f\ 
discovered  by  the  drowsy  sentry,  who  was  slowly  pacing  to  and  / 
fro,  with  shouldered  musket,  before  it.  Turning  round  with  a 
start,  the  aroused  soldier  glared  an  instant  at  the  advancing  ar 
ray,  in  mute  astonishment  and  alarm ;  when  he  hastily  cocked,  r\ 
and  leveled  his  piece  at  Allen,  who  was  striding  towards  him,  ' 
several  yards  in  advance  of  his  men.  It  was  an  instant  on  whicL 
hung  the  fate  of  the  hero  of  the  Green  Mountains  and,  probably, 
also  the  destinies  of  Ticonderoga.  But  the  gun  missed  fire. 
The  life  of  the  daring  leader  was  safe,  and  the  garrison  slept  on, 
unalarmed,  and  unconscious  of  their  danger.  Leaping  forward 
like  the  bounding  _tigejr  on  his  victim,  Allen  followed  up  the 
retreating  soldier  so  hotly  that,  with  all  the  speed  which  fear 
could  lend  him,  he  could  scarcely  keep  clear  of  the  rapidly 


188  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

whirling  sword  of  his  fiery  pursuer,  till  he  gained  the  interior  of 
the  fortress;  when  he  gave  a  loud  screech  of  alarm,  and,  mak 
ing  a  desperate  leap  for  a  bomb  proof,  disappeared  within  its 
recesses.  Meanwhile  the  rushing  column  of  troops  came  sweep 
ing  like  a  whirlwind  through  the  gate;  when  fairly  gaining  the 
parade  ground  in  front  of  the  barracks,  they  gave  three  cheers 
which  made  the  old  walls  tremble  with  the  deafening  reverbera 
tions,  and  caused  the  slumbering  garrison  to  start  from  then 
beds  in  wild  dismay  at  the  unwonted  sound.  Scarcely  had  the 
last  huzza  escaped  the  lips  of  the  men  and  their  leader,  who  dis 
dained  not  to  mingle  his  own  stentorian  voice  in  the  peals  of 
exultation  and  defiance,  which  rose  in  thunders  to  heaven,  be 
fore  the  latter  was  rapidly  threading  his  way  through  flying  sen 
tries  and  half  dressed  officers,  towards  the  quarters  of  the  com 
mandant  of  the  fortress.  Pausing  an  instant  on  his  way,  to 
chastise  a  dastard  sentinel  whom  he  caught  making  a  pass  at  one 
*\  t  of  our  officers  with  his  bayonet,  and  whom,  with  one  blow  with 
the  flat  of  his  sword,  he  sent  reeling  to  the  earth  with  the  cry  of 
mercy  on  his  lips,  the  daring  leader  bounded  up  the  stair-way 
leading  to  the  commandant's  room,  and  thundering  at  the  door,  . 
called  loudly  to  that  officer  to  come  forth.  Captain  La  Place,  f\  /^ 
who  had  just  leaped  from  his  bed,  on  hearing  the  tumult  below, 
soon  made  his  appearance  with  his  clothes  in  his  hand,  but  sud 
denly  recoiling  a  step,  he  stood  gazing  in  mute  amazement  at  the 
stern  and  threatening  air,  and  the  powerful  and  commanding 
figure  of  the  man  before  him. 

"  I  come,  sir,  to  demand  the  immediate  surrender  of  this  for 
tress  !  "  sternly  said  Allen,  to  the  astonished  commander. 

"  By  what  authority  do  you  make  this  bold  demand  of  His 
Majesty's  fort,  sir  ? "  said  the  other,  almost  distrusting  his 
senses. 

" By  what  authority  ?"  thundered  Allen,    "I  demand  it,   sir, 
•    in  the  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah   and  the   Continental  Con 
gress!" 

u  The  Continental  Congress?  "  stammered  the  hesitating  offi 
cer,  u  I  know  of  no  right — I  don't  acknowledge  it,  sir — " 

"  But  you  soon  will  acknowledge  it,  sir!  '?  fiercely  interrupted 
the  impatient  leader.  .And  hesitate  to  obey  me  one  instant 
longerc  and  by  the  eternal  heavens!  I  will  sacrifice  every  man  in 
your  fort! — beginning  the  work,  sir,"  he  added,  whirling  his 
pword  furiously  over  the  head  of  the  other,  and  bringing  the 
murderous  blade  at,  ^yery  glittering  circle  it  made  in  the  gir» 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  189 

nearer  and  nearer  the  head  of  its  threatened  victim,    "begin-     \ 
ning  the  work,  sir,  by  sending  your  own  head  dancing  across 
this  floor !  " 

"  I  yield,  I  yield  !  "  cried  the  shrinking  commandant. 

"Down!  down,  then,-  instantly!"  exclaimed  Allen,  "and 
communicate  the  surrender  to  your  men  while  any  of  them  are 
left  aliye  to  hear  it." 

Scarcely  allowing  the  crest-fallen  officer  time  to  encase  his  legs 
in  his  breeches,  Allen  hurried  him  down  to  the  scene  of  action, 
in  the  open  parade  below.  Here  they  found  the  Green  Mountain 
boys  eagerly  engaged  in  the  work  of  capturing  the  garrison,  who 
were  making  considerable  show  of  resistance.  Two  of  the  barrack 
doors  had  been  beaten  down,  and  about  a  third  of  the  enemy 
already  made  prisoners.  And  the  fiery  Arnold  was  on  the  point  V/" 
of  blowing  a  third  door  from  its  hinges  with  a  swivel,  which  he 
had  caused  to  be  drawn  up  for  the  purpose  ;  while  a  fourth  was 
shaking  and  tottering  under  the  tremendous  blows  of  an  axe, 
wielded  by  the  long  and  powerful  arms  of  Pete  Jones,  who  was 
found  among  the  foremost  in  the  contest. 

"Cease,  cease  ye  all!"  cried  Allen,  in  a  loud  voice  of  com' 
mand,  as  he  appeared  among  them  with  La  Place  by  his  side. 

"Now,  raaly,  Colonel,"  said  Jones,  suspending  his  elevated 
implement,  and  holding  it  back  over  his  head  in  readiness  for 
another  blow,  "I  wish  you  would  let  me  settle  with  this  develish 
old  oak  door  before  I  stop.  Why,  I  never  was  so  bothered  with 
such  a  small  potatoe  in  my  my  life!  " 

"No,  no!  "  answered  the  other  smiling,  "let  us  have  silence  a- 
moment,  and  we  will  save  you  all  troubles  of  that  kind." 

"  Well,  then,  here  goes  for  a  parting  blessing!  "  exclaimed  the 
woodsman,  bringing  down  his  axe  with  a  tremendous  blow,  which 
brought  the  shattered  door  tumbling  to  the  ground. 

The  British  commandant  then  calling  his  officers  around  him, 
informed  them  that  he  had  surrendered  the  fortress,  and  ordered 
them  to  parade  the  men  without  arms.  While  this  was  in  per 
formance,  a  second  detachment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  reached  Q 
the  shore,  and,  having  eagerly  hastened  on  to  the  fort  to  join 
their  companions,  now  with  Warrington  at  their  head,  came 
pouring  into  the  arena.  A  single  glance  sufficed  to  tell  the  latter, 
that  he  was  too  late  to  participate  in  aught  but  the  fruits  of  the 
victory.  With  a  disappointed  and  mortified  air  he  halted  his  men/ 
and  approached  to  the  side  of  his  leader. 


190  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"  Ah !  Colonel,"  said  he,  "  is  this  the  way  you  appropriate  all 
the  laurels  to  yourself,  entirely  forgetful  or  your  friends  ?  " 

"Pooh!  pooh!  Charles,"  replied  Allen,  turning  to  the  other 
with  a  soothing,  yet  self-complaisant  smile,  at  the  half -reproachful 
compliment  thus  conveyed,  "you  need  not  mourn  much  lost  glory 
in  this  affair.  Why,  the  stupid  devils  did  not  give  us  fight  enough 
to  whet  our  appetites  for  breakfast !  But  never  mind,  Charles, 
there  is  more  business  yet  to  be  done ;  Crown  Point  and  Major 
Skene's  stone  castle  must  uoth  be  ours  to-night.  The  taking  of 
the  first  shall  be  yours  to  perform.  And  after  breakfast  and  a 
few  bumpers  in  honor  of  our  victory,  we  will  despatch  you  for 
that  purpose,  with  a  corps  of  your  own  selection." 

"Thank  you,  thank  you,  Colonel,"  replied  the  other  with  a 
grateful  smile.  But  the  expedition  to  Skenesboro'— may  I  not 
speak  a  word  for  our  friend,  Selden !  " 

"Aha!"  replied  Allen,  laughing,  "then  this  offer  to  take 
charge  of  the  negro's  letter  had  its  meaning,  eh?  I  don't  know 
exactly  about  that  chip  of  a  British  Colonel  for  a  Yankee  patriot. 
Now,  yours,  Major,  I  acknowledge  to  be  a  true  Cynosure.  But 
his,  I  fear,  will  prove  a  Dog-star.  However,  this  is  his  own 
hunt;  and  as  he  is  a  finished  fellow,  and,  doubtless,  brave  and 
true,  I  think  I  will  give  him  the  command  of  the  expedition, 
unless  claimed  by  Easton.  But  hush!  the  commandant  is  about 
to  go  through  the  forms  of  the  surrender.  I  must  away,  but  will 
see  you  again." 

The  brief  ceremonies  of  the  surrender  were  soon  over;  when, 
as  the  fortress  was  pronounced  to  be  in  full  possession  of  the  con- 
querers,  the  heavens  were  again  rent  by  the  reiterated  huzzas  of 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  while  British  cannon  were  made  ,to 
peal  forth  with  their  deep-mouthed  thunders  to  the  trembling 
hills  and  reverberating  mountains  of  the  country  around,  the  pro 
clamation  of  victory !— the  first  triumph  of  Ycung  Freedom  over 
the  arms  of  her  haughty  oppressor. 


THE    OHEEN   MOUNTAIN    30 ¥£ 


CHAPTER  IH. 


!  A  thousand  evil  things  there  are  that  hate 
To  look  on  happiness;  these  hurt  impede, 
And  leagued  with  time,  circumstance  and  fate, 
Keep  kindred  heart  from  heart,  to  pine  and  pant  and  bleed." 

MBS.  BROOKS. 


IT  is  time,  perhaps,  that  we  should  recur  a  little,  to  trace  the 
operations  of  some  personages  of  our  story,  whose  agency,  though 
unnoted  by  us  through  several  of  the  last  chapters,  had  yet,  in  the 
meanwhile,  been  actively  exercised  in  bringing  about  the  events 
that  were  destined  to  follow.  And  it  is  with  a  sort  of  reluctance 
of  feeling  that  we  turn  from  the  soul-kindling  task  of  describing 
the  noble  exploits  of  Allen  and  his  patriot  companions,  to  the  low 
and  despicable  plottings  of  the  base  Sherwood,  and  his  still  more 
execrable  associate  in  crime.  Though  twice  foiled  in  his  attempts 
to  procure  the  destruction  of  Warrington,  under  the  sanction  of 
a  despotic  law,  of  which  advantage  was  taken  mainly  to  cloak 
the  true  motives  of  the  act, — though  signally  defeated  in  this, 
and  the  bolder  attempt  at  assassination,  which  was  subsequently 
made  at  his  instigation,  yet  still  restless  as  the  dark  spirit  of  evil, 
this  plotter  of  mischief,  instead  of  relinquishing  his  object,  was 
now  only  the  more  intently  engaged  in  devising  and  putting  in 
practice,  new  ways  of  accomplishing  his  nefarious  designs. 

On  the  evening  that  Darrow  had  attempted  the  life  of  War- 
rington  in  the  woods,  Sherwood  was  sitting  in  his  house,  which 
was  kept  by  a  simple  couple,  wholly  in  the  interests  of  their 
employer.  He  had  just  arrived  from  a  visit  to  the  house  of  Cap 
tain  Hendee,  where,  as  the  reader  has  been  apprised,  he  had  been 
sowing  the  seeds  of  discord  in  that  hapless  family.  And  the 
chilly  reception  with  which  his  parting  advances  had  been  met 
by  the  indignant  girl,  whom  they  were  intended  to  soften  and 
deceive,  more  than  ever  confirming  him  in  what  his  jealousy  had 
long  since  suggested,  that  her  inclinations  were  setting  strongly 
towards  his  hated  rival,  and  foreseeing  that  something  must 
speedily  be  done  to  countejract  the  current,  he  was  now  revolving 


192  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

over  the  different  schemes  that  rose  in  his  teeming  brain  foi 
effecting  his  purpose,  in  case  of  the  failure  of  his  minion  to  re 
move  the  object,  alike  of  his  hatred  and  his  fears.  While  thus 
occupied  in  mind,  Darrow,  whose  coming  was  not  wittily  un 
locked  for,  arrived,  and  sulkily  entered  the  apartment. 

"  Ah,  Darrow!  "  exclaimed  Sherwood,  with  hisustia-?  hypocrit 
ical  smile,  '  *  very  glad  to  see  you.  I  knew  not  whether  you  would 
come  to-night,  or  return  to  the  fort." 

"Why,"  replied  the  other,  "  when  I  concluded  to  give  it  up  for 
a  d — n  bad  day's  work,  I  found  myself  nearc/  your  house  than 
the  fort;  so  I  came,  that's  all." 

"Glad  you  did.  So  come,  unrig,  and  sit  down.  The  old 
woman,  in  the  other  room,  will  have  us  sopae  supper  ready  soon. 
But  no  luck  with  your  rifle  to-day  ?  "  »aid  Sherwood,  with  a  sig 
nificant  smile. 

"  None — except  getting  half  tire«  t»  death,  in  this  cursed  wild 
goose  chase  of  yours,"  petulantly  replied  the  surly  minion. 

"What!  not  even  get  a  sight  of  the  game,  after  so  much  beat 
ing  about  the  bush  ?  " 

"  Yes,  twice;  and  failed  both  times,  as  the  deril,  who  sent  me 
on  the  errand,  would  have  it, "  answered  Darrow,  with  an  equiv 
ocal  glance  at  the  other. 

"Failed!  how  !  '  said  Sherwood,  without  appearing  to  notice 
the  half -intentional  sarcasm  of  Darrow. 

' '  Why,  the  first  time,  the  devilish  rifle  missed  fire,  for  a  rarity 
—the  second,  its  owner  missed  his  aim,  and  had  to  take  to  his 
legs  to  save  his  bacon." 

"  All  this  is  very  singular,  Mr.  Darrow,"  observed  Sherwood, 
with  a  disappointed,  and  somewhat  incredulous  look. 

' '  Yes,  but  true  for  all  that.  Believe  it  or  not,  just  as  you 
please,  I  care  not  a  groat." 

' '  What  mean  you  now,  Darrow  ?  " 

'  *  Exactly  what  I  say ;  and  I  am  beginning  to  mean  some  thing 
more  too." 

"  You  are  a  strange  fellow,  Darrow.  But  let  us  have  all  your 
meanings,  wants,  and  wishes,  in  a  lump.  I  am  in  no  humor  for 
riddles." 

"Nor  I  neither.  Well,  then,  though  the -fellow  escaped  my 
bullet  by  no  intended  fault  of  mine,  yet  I  am  not  sorry  I  missed 
him.  I  aave  been  thinking  of  the  business  coming  along,  and 
i'or  all  your  talk  about  his  life  being  forfeited,  I  can't  make  it  out 
much  better  than  killing — not  to  use  a  worse  word. — which  they 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  19b 

say  gives  a  fellow  ugly  dreams.  So  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to 
let  you  do  your  own  jobs  of  this  sort,  in  future.  And  if  you  per 
sist  in  urging  me  further —  " 

''Killing!  who  asked  you  to  kill  him  ?"  interrupted  Sherwood 
in  feigned  surprise. 

"  Curse  you,  Jake,  you  know  well  enough  you  meant  that. 
But  I  am  still  willing  to  help  take  the  fellow,  and  hand  him  over 
to  the  Yorkers  to  punish,  or  lend  you  a  hand  to  carry  any  other 
point,  if  you  will  do  the  clean  thing  by  me.  But  in  the  first  place 
you  must  tell  me  what  you  fear  from  this  fellow,  and  why  you 
are  so  specially  set  on  having  him  taken,  more  than  Allen,  or  any 
other  outlaw  ?  " 

"  That  is  more  than  I  intended  to  tell  any  one:  but  as  I  sup 
pose  you  will  better  serve  my  interests  by  understanding  this, 
you  shall  know  the  whole  business :  well,  after  I  had  been  here 
awhile,  I  noticed  that  the  girl,  when  the  Captain  said  any  thing  in 
praise  of  this  Howard,  as  he  supposed  his  name  was,  never 
joined  her  father  in  praises  of  the  fellow,  though  she  never  had 
any  ears  for  any  thing  else  while  the  slightest  mention  was  made 
of  him.  And  if  I  so  much  as  asked  a  question  implying  a  doubt 
about  the  fellow^  perfection,  she  would  show  resentment  as  plain 
as  looks  could  do  it.  Now,  Darrow,  if  you  would  discover  whether 
a  girl  entertains  any  secret  liking  for  a  man,  just  introduce  his 
name  in  her  presence,  contriving  both  to  praise  and  censure  him, 
and  if  she  refuse  to  join  you  in  either,  but  is  all  attention  when 
you  praise,  and  grows  restless  when  you  censure  him,  you  may 
safely  set  it  down  that  love  is  secretly  lurking  about  her  heart. 
It  was  some  thing  like  this  that  led  me  to  think  that  this  Howard 
had  made  an  impression,  which  I  little  relished.  This  suspicion 
caused  me  to  obtain  from  the  old  Captain  a  minute  description 
of  the  fellow,  and  having  before  had  one  of  Warrington,  it  oc 
curred  to  me  that  this  favorite  might  be  no  other  than  the  out 
law,  himself.  And  being  determined  to  ascertain  whether  my 
conjectures  were  correct,  I  made  a  secret  journey  to  Bennington, 
where  I  got  a  sight  at  Warrington,  and  where,  by  professing 
great  wrath  against  the  Yorkers,  I  was  let  into  secrets  which 
confirmed  me  in  my  suspicions.  There,  also,  I  made  arrange 
ments  for  being  apprised  of  Warrington's  future  movements  with 
one  Willoughby,  who  sent  the  word  which  enabled  me  to  ferret 
out  him  and  his  baud  at  Lake  Dunmore.  All  this,  however,  I 
kept  secret  from  the  Hendees,  but  took  especial  pains  to  inspire 
ihe  old  man,  and  more  particularly  his  daughter,  with  a  horror 


194  THE    &Rfim    MOUNTAIN   130  TS. 

of  the  character  of  Warrington.  And  now,  Darrow,  after  the  in 
mifferable  scoundrel  has  caused  me  to  be  tied  up  and  whipped 
like  a  dog,  and,  to  cap  the  climax,  has  found  his  way  into  this 
family,  and  attempted  to  beguile  from  me  my  betrothed,  can  you 
ask  why  I  wish  to  see  him  brought  to  justice  ?  " 

"Why,  you  seem  to  make  out  considerable  of  a  case  of  it,  to 
be  sure,"  replied  the  other  carelessly,  as  he  rolled  his  tobacco 
quid  in  his  lips.  "But,  'betrothed,'  do  you  call  her  ?  Why,  I 
thought  you  cared  so  little  about  the  girl,  that  you  was  quite  un 
determined  whether  you  would  have  her  or  not?  " 

"Well,  whatever  I  may  have  said  before,  I  am  not  undeter 
mined  now — for  the  girl,  in  spite  of  men,  or  devils,  I  swear  I  will 
kave!" 

"What  mighty  object  is  there,  Jake,  in  breaking  your  neck 
for  her  ?  Be  sure,  she  is  a  snug  piece  enough,  but  you  can  catch 
other  fish  as  fair,  and  those  too,  who  will  bring  you  hundreds  to 
her  none." 

"I  have  plenty  of  objects  to  answer  :  one  is  to  defeat  this 
hated  scoundrel, — another,  to  punish  her  for  presuming  to  like 
him.  I  don't  say  now  I  will  marry  her.  But  she  shall  be  mine, 
to  do  with  as  I  choose.  I  will  have  her,  and  keep  her  in  a  spot 
where  it  shall  be  mine,  not  hers,  to  decide  whose  wife  she  shall 
become.  That,  indeed,  was  mainly  my  motive  in  drawing  her 
into  an  engagement  in  the  first  place :  for  you  know,  Darrow, 
that  in  case  the  eld  concerns  should  happen  to  be  ripped  up,  a 
matrimonial  plaster  would  cure  all.  And  so  long  as  I  kept 
things  in  this  posture,  I  should  have  the  remedy  at  hand." 

''  Yes,  but  what  chance  do  you  consider  there  is  of  ripping  up 
old  matters  ? "  asked  the  sergeant,  throwing  a  keen  enquiring 
glance  at  the  other. 

"Why,  such  a  thing  is  possible,  you  know.  The  old  man,  my 
father,  I  mean,  as  he  grows  weak  and  childish,  may  repent,  and 
kick  over  his  own  kettle,  and,  of  course,  mine.  Indeed,  I  have 
great  fears  of  this:  for,  though  he  never  said  any  thing  to  me 
of  the  kind,  not  dreaming  that  I  ever  met  with  you  here,  or  dis 
covered  by  any  other  means  the  secrets  of  his  former  manage 
ment,  yet  I  have  lately  observed  in  him  a  sort  of  growing  uneasi 
ness,  a  whining  melancholy  way,  which,  with  his  great  anxiety 
that  I  should  marry  this  girl,  has  made  me  rather  jealous,  that 
his  firmness  is  giving  way  in  this  quarter.  Besides  this,  there 
are  other  dangers:  that  box*  who,  you  say  the  old  man  still 
" 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  195 

thinks,  was  done  for,  may  yet  be  alive,  and  return  to  make  me 
trouble." 

"Well,  if  he  should,  he  would  be  a  no  very  lousy  foe  for  you 
to  contend  with,  Jake, — that  is,  if  he  is  as  smart  for  a  man  as  he 
was  for  a  boy — I  tell  you,  he  was  a  bright  one  for  a  four-year  old. 
I  liked  him.  and  never  had  the  least  notion  of  harming  a  hair  of 
his  head." 

"What  object  had  you,  then,  in  making  the  old  man  believe 
as  you  did?  " 

' '  Why,  I  mistrusted  that  would  please  the  old  man  best,  and 
Til  be  hanged  if  I  don't  believe  it  did,  Jake,  if  he  is  your 
father." 

' '  Well,  there  are  these  chances  against  me,  and  then — " 

' '  And  then  Bill  Darrow  may  leak,  you  was  going  to  say,  was 
you  Jake?  "  sneeringly  asked  the  minion. 

"  O,  no!  "  quickly  responded  the  consummate  dissembler  with 
a  gracious  smile,  and  a  surprised  air,  as  if  such  a  thought  never 
entered  his  head.  "  No,  indeed.  I  should  as  soon  fear  myself. 
But  I  was  thinking,  and  about  to  say,  that  besides  these  chances, 
Warrington's  communication  with  the  girl  will  prove  dangerous 
to  my  plans,  and  that  they  must  be  stopped." 

"  Well,  how  are  you  agoing  to  do  it,  short  of  following  up  the 
plan  we  have  been  already  acting  on  to  so  little  purpose  ?  " 

"Why,  I  have  already  taken  one  step  to-day,  by  informing 
Hendee,  that  his  friend  Howard  was  no  less  than  the  outlaw 
Warrington  in  disguise.  This  was  touching  the  fire  to  his  gun 
powder  temper;  and  has  pretty  effectually  blown  the  fellow  up  as 
regards  any  open  communication  with  the  girl." 

"  That  may  be,  but  it  has  also  blown  up  your  best  trap  for 
taking  him,  you  see,  don't  you?  " 

"Perhaps  so,  but  I  dare  not  risk  his  visits  with  the  standing 
he  evidently  held  in  their  minds.  And  now,  having  broken  off 
all  open  intercourse  between  the  girl  and  the  audacious  rascal, 
TfQ  must  go  to  work  to  sunder  those  ties,  which  may  yet  secretly 
remain." 

"  Hum  !  That,  I  should  think,  would  be  like  trying  to  cut  off 
sun-beams  with  a  jack-knife.  I  should  like  to  know  how  the  old 
boy  you  calculate  to  do  that?  " 

' '  O,  easy  enough,  though  my  plan  is  not  quite  made  up.  I 
will  tell  you  in  the  morning.  But  will  you  assist  me  in  carrying 
it  out  ? " 

"Don't  know  but  I  will.     But  supposing  I  do,  and  see  you 


196  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

fairly  through  the  whole  scrape,  what  do  you  finally  mtend  to  do 
forme?" 

"  Any  thing  almost  that  you  may  ask,  Darrow.  You  will  own 
that  the  earnest  money  I  gave  you  the  other  day  was  a  handsome 
affair?" 

"Hum!  -Yes,  decent.'1 

"Well,  from  the  late  news,  1  suppose  we  shall  have  war. 
Warrington  and  most  of  these  rascally  settlers  will  be  with  the 
rebels.  I,  from  several  motives,  shall  go  for  the  king.  And  I 
have  made  up  my  mind  to  get  a  Captain's  commission,  and  raise 
a  company  to  act  in  this  quarter.  You  shall  be  my  Lieutenant. 
And  then  we  will  use  up  these  refractory  settlers  in  a  way  they 
little  dream  of.  But  harkl  The  old  woman  is  rapping  for  us 
to  come  to  supper.  I  will  mature  my  plans,  and  open  them  to 
you  as  I  said,  in  the  morning." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


I  something  fear  my  father's  wrath;  but  nothing 

(Always  reserved  my  holy  duty),  what 

His  rage  can  do  on  me.    You  must  begone: 

And  1  shall  here  abide  the  hourly  shot 

Of  angry  eyes;  not  comforted  to  live, 

But  that  there  is  this  jewel  in  the  world, 

That  I  may  see  again," 


THE  developement  made  by  Sherwood,  at  his  late  visit,  seemed 
to  produce  on  Captain  Hendee,  whose  mind  had  been  previously 
prejudiced  and  poisoned  for  the  purpose,  all  the  effect  which  the 
former  could  have  desired.  The  Captain's  feelings  of  pride  were 
deeply  touched  at  the  thought  of  having  entertained,  and  wel 
comed  in  .his  family,  a  man  acting  under  the  disguise  of  an 
assumed  name,  and  consequently  harboring,  as  he  reasoned,  no 
honorable  purposes.  And  these  views  going  to  confirm  all  the 
falsehoods  and  dark  insinuations,  by  which  that  lago  in  malice 
and  subtlety  had  accompanied  his  disclosures  concerning  War 
rington,  the  mind  of  the  irratable  old  gentleman  had  been  wrought 
up  to  a  pitch  of  exasperation  and  bitterness,  which  he  pretended 
neither  to  disguise  nor  control,  and  which  he  failed  not  to  vent  on 


THE    QKEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  197 

All  around  him,  but  more  particularly  upon  his  unhappy  daughter. 
To  her,  indeed,  his  whole  demeanor  became  changed ;  and  hii 
treatment  was  marked  by  a  distrustful  coldnesss,  and  continued 
austerity  of  manner,  which  she  had  never  before,  for  so  long  a 
time,  experienced  from  her  passionate,  but  hitherto  quickly 
relenting,  parent.  And  yet  she,  who  was  happily  the  very 
reverse  of  her  father  in  temper,  had  neither  manifested,  nor  felt 
the  least  wish  to  resent  the  unkindness ;  but  calm  and  amiable  in 
disposition,  as  she  was  fearless  and  spirited  in  action,  she  had 
borne  all  Trith  the  most  forgiving  patience,  prudently  awaiting 
the  subsiding  of  the  tempest  of  his  passion,  before  she  should 
attempt,  as  she  was  resolved  to  do,  to  exculpate  Warrington,  and 
gradually  bring  about  a  change  in  his  views  and  feelings,  in 
regard  to  the  connection  with  Sherwood.  She  well  knew  that 
he  was  now  laboring  under  many  false  impressions,  which  she  felt 
conscious  of  her  ability  to  remove,  as  soon  as  he  should  become 
sufficiently  calm  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  reason.  Day  after  day, 
therefore,  she  had  anxiously  watched  for  some  appearance  of 
relenting,  some  more  softened  mood,  which  should  afford  her  an 
opportunity  of  making  this  attempt  with  a  reasonable  hope  of  suc 
cess.  But  till  the  evening  on  which  Jones  called  at  the  house,  she 
had  observed  nothing  that  indicated  the  least  relaxation  in  her 
father's  feelings.  And  being  then  interrupted  by  the  woodsman's 
call,  at  an  hour  which  usually  afforded  her  the  only  opportunity 
she  had  through  the  day  of  conversing  with  her  parent  alone, 
she  deferred  her  purpose  to  another  day.  But  the  next  day 
brought  along  with  it  events,  which  so  engrossed  her  time  and 
attention,  that  this  desired  object  was  not  again  sought  to  be 
obtained,  till  circumstances  intervened,  which  destroyed  every 
motive  and  wish  she  could  entertain  for  accomplishing  it. 

Such  was  the  state  of  feelings,  and  such  the  relative  position  in 
which  the  father  and  daughter  stood  towards  each  other  on  the 
day  which  proved  so  triumphant  to  the  American  arms  on  Lake 
Dhamplain.  In  the  early  part  of  that  day  the  attention  of  this 
family,  as  well  as  that  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity  of  the 
lake,  was  aroused  by  heavy  and  repeated  discharges  of  cannon, 
in  the  direction  of  Ticonderoga.  Little  dreaming  of  the  fact 
that  the  cannonading,  which  was  filling  the  whole  valley  of  the 
lake  with  its  echoing  thunders,  was  the  harbinger  of  a  victory 
already  won,  the  whole  neighbourhood  was  instantly  in  commo 
tion, — some  riding  post  haste  into  the  interior  to  carry  the  news, 
or  rally  volunteers,  some  fljing  from  house  to  house  to  inter- 


198  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

change  the  expressions  of  their  fears  and  sympathies,  and  th« 
greater  number,  rushing  down  to  the  nearest  landing  on  the  lake 
shore,  to  gaim  the  first  tidings  of  their  friends  engaged  in  the 
deadly  conflict,  which  they  supposed  was  at  that  moment  raging 
round  the  walls  of  the  hostile  fortress.  In  a  short  time  the  door- 
yard  of  Captain  Hendee's  cottage  was  filled  with  a  group  of  ex 
cited  boys  and  anxious  females.  And  agonizing  were  the  sensa 
tions  of  many  an  affectionate  wife  and  sister,  and  oft  and  fervent 
their  trembling  ejaculations  to  Heaven  for  the  preservation  of 
husbands,  brothers,  and  lovers,  in  this  hour  of  danger.  And  not 
the  most  indifferent  among  those  thus  oppressed  with  painful 
solicitude  for  the  event,  which  they  believed  involved  the  fate 
of  all  they  held  dear  on  earth,  was  Alma  Hendee.  To  her  whose 
lover  might  be  expected  to  be  among  the  foremost  of  those  en 
gaged  in  the  perilous  assault,  every  gun  that  came  booming  over 
the  waters  brought  with  it  a  pang  for  her  agitated  bosom.  Nor 
was  her  anxiety  the  less  painfully  felt,  because  circumstances 
compelled  her  to  endure  it  in  silence.  The  firing  at  length 
ceased,  and  all  awaited  in  trembling  solicitude  some  arrival,  which 
should  bring  them  information  of  the  result.  This,  however, 
contined  for  several,  and  to  most  of  them,  long  and  tedious  hours, 
to  rest  in  uncertainty.  But  at  length  a  horseman,  covered  with 
dust,  and  lashing  his  foaming  horse  to  speed,  came  furiously  gal 
loping  down  the  road  to  the  south.  All,  with  beating  hearts 
and  breathless  expectation,  awaited  the  announcement  of  the 
rapidly  approaching  messenger.  The  next  moment,  as  he  neared 
them,  he  swung  his  hat  round  his  head  exclaiming  "  Victory  I 
victory!  hurra  for  the  Green  Mountain  Boys!  Ticonderoga  is 
taken,  and  not  a  man  killed!  hurra!  hurra!"  and,  without  scarcely 
checking  the  speed  of  his  horse,  on  he  dashed,  to  carry  to  others 
the  joyful  tidings.  The  cracked  voice  of  the  war-worn  and 
veteran  Hendee  was  the  next  instant  mingling  with  the  shrill  and 
high-keyed  cry  of  the  boys  around  him  in  the  responsive  hurra 
that  now  involuntarily  burst  from  their  lips.  With  tears  of  joy 
and  thankfulness  gushing  ever  many  a  fair  cheek,  the  females 
hurried  on  such  habiliments  as  they  had  laid  aside,  and  the  com 
pany,  immediately  dispersing,  hastened  to  their  respective  home* 
with  the  gladdening  news,  leaving  Captain  Hendee  and  his  daugh 
ter  again  by  themselves,  and  their  cottage  to  relapse  into  its  usual 
quietness.  The  day,  however,  was  not  destined  to  close  upon 
them  without  the  occurrence  of  other  events  of  stirring  interest. 
Towards  sunset,  several  batteaui  filled  with  armed  men,  made 


TEE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   SOYS.  199 

their  appearance  on  the  lake,  approaching  from  the  south,  and  *a 
they  neared,  were  soon  discovered  to  be  bearing  down  upon  the 
fortress  of  Crown  Point. 

"  Bring  me  out  my  old  spy  glass,  Alma!  "  cried  Captain  Hen- 
dee,  hobbling  from  the  garden  where  he  had  been  to  work,  to 
wards  the  house,  and  turning  round  every  few  steps  to  look  at 
the  little  armament,  which  he  had  discovered  approaching. 
' 4  Here  comes  more  trouble  for  the  British — or  else  that  fellow 
fooled  us  with  his  news,  and  these  are  a  reinforcement  for  the 
garrison.  Come,  step  quick,  girl,  I  can't  make  them  out  with 
certainty." 

"Would  British  troops  be  likely  to  come  in  that  direction, 
father  ?  "  said  Alma,  in  accents  tremulous  with  emotion,  as  she 
approached,  and  handed  the  required  instrument  to  the  other. 

"Why,  no,  I  should  hardly  have  expected  it;  but  let  us  see 
replied  the  Captain,  adjusting  his  glass  and  placing  it  to  his  eye. 
4 'By  heavens,  the  girl  is  right!  Those  boats  contain  any  thing 
but  British  regulars.  No,  they  must  be  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
about  to  make  an  onset  on  the  fort.  See !  how  stiffly  they  bear 
down  towards  the  old  walls!  "he  continued  with  animation. 
"  Gad  !  they  are  bold  fellows,  to  say  the  least,  to  be  sailing  di 
rectly  in  the  teeth  of  yonder  war-dogs!  But  here,  child,  your 
eye  is  keener  than  mine ; — take  the  glass  and  watch  their  move 
ments." 

The  girl  took  the  glass,  and  bringing  the  boats  within  its  field 
of  vision,  looked  long  and  intently  without  speaking. 

'  *  They  are  coming  to  a  halt  now,  are  they  not  ? "  asked  the 
Captain. 

"Yes,  they  have  nearly  ceased  rowing  now,"  replied  the 
maiden.  "Why,  how  plainly  I  can  see  even  their  features! 
Now  there  is  one,  who  has  mounted  a  bench,  and  appears  to  be 
giving  commands  to  the  rest.  Now  he  has  turned  his  face  thii 
way,  as  if — as  if — " 

"Why!  how  unsteady  the  girl's  hand  is!  nonsense!  child,  you 
need  not  be  frightened, — they  are  not  coming  near  us,"  half  pet 
tishly,  half  encouragingly,  exclaimed  the  Captain,  supposing  his 
daughter's  very  visible  agitation  proceeded  from  an  apprehension 
that  the  commander  was  about  to  order  the  boats  to  cr«ss  over 
the  lake  towards  the  house. 

"I  am  not  afraid,  father,  only — but  see!  their  boats  are  turn 
ing  to  the  shore.  They  appear  now  to  be  patting  into  a  tmall 
oove." 


200  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

"There  is  where  they  are  cunning,"  observed  the  other. 
"  They  don't  think  it  altogether  safe  to  approach  much  nearer 
in  the  range  of  those  murderous  long  guns.  If  I  had  been  there 
in  command  of  the  fort,  I  think  they  would  have  seen  trouble 
some  time  ago.  Thank  God,  however,  the  stupid  fools  within 
there  have  lost  their  best  chance  !  But  what  are  they  doing 
now  ? " 

"They  have  landed,  nearly  all  landed  now,  and  seem  to  be 
forming  on  the  bank." 

"Good  !  now,  Alma,  you  will  have  a  chance  to  see  a  little 
of  your  father's  old  trade  —  that  is,  if  the  garrison  have  sense 
and  courage  enough  to  make  use  of  the  advantages  they  pos 
sess  for  repelling  their  assailants.  Are  they  moving  forward 
yet  for  the  fort  ?  " 

"  No,  the  commander  appears  to  be  addressing  two  men  apart 
from  the  rest,  one  of  whom  seems  to  be  unrolling  something 
white.  Ah!  I  see,  now  ;  it  is  a  white  flag.  The  two  now  ad 
vance  along  the  path  leading  to  the  fort,  while  the  rest  appear 
to  stand  in  a  waiting  attitude,  anxiously  watching  the  motions 
of  their  two  companions  as  they  approach  the  gate." 

"It  is  a  summons  from  the  commander,  girl — a  summons  for 
the  surrender  of  the  fort.  Now  you  will  see  whether  they  will 
obey  it,  and  yield  without  a  blow  the  prize  that  cost  the  king 
so  much  toil  and  blood  in  the  winning,  as  my  sad  experience 
can  well  attest.  Many  a  dark  and  fearful  night,  Alma,  have  I 
ranged  these  woods,  while  the  savage  foe  were  lurking  around 
us  in  every  direction.  Old  Major  Put,  as  we  used  to  call  that 
dare-devil,  and  myself  once — 

"There!  there!  father,"  interrupted  the  other,  "the  messen 
gers  have  now  approached  near  to  the  walls.  A  man  appears 
on  the  top.  They  are  conferring  together.  The  messengers 
point  to  their  companions.  The  man  on  the  walls  seems  to  hesi 
tate.  They  now  seem  to  direct  his  attention  to  something  down 
the  lake.  Look,  father,  and  see  if  anything  is  to  be  seen  com 
ing  in  that  direction." 

"Now  the  Lord  be  with  the  assailants  for  a  sudden  rush,  or 
their  game  is  up !  "  exclaimed  the  Captain,  as,  in  compliance 
with  his  daughter's  request,  he  turned  and  threw  an  enquiring 
look  along  the  lake  towards  the  north.  "Two  boats  filled  with 
armed  men  are  coming  up  the  lake  rowing  for  life — British,  no 
doubt,  hastening  to  succor  the  garrison." 

"No,  father,  no!"  joyfully  exclaimed  the  girl  as  with  trem- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  201 

oling  haste  she  turned  the  glass  to  the  armament  m  question. 
"  You  are  again  mistaken.  These,  too,  are  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
coming  on  to  join  their  companions.1' 

"Green  Mountain  Boys!  from  that  quarter?  where  ahould 
they  come  from?1' 

"  From  the  Winooski  river,  father.  Captain  Baker  has  been 
on  there,  and  " — eagerly  replied  the  other,  but  stopping  short 
and  blushing,  as  it  occurred  to  her  that  the  remark  would  lead 
to  the  discovery  of  the  source  of  her  information. 

"  Really,  girl !  one  would  suppose  you  had  been  to  the  council 
of  war,  where  this  campaign  was  planned,"  said  the  Captain, 
with  an  air  of  surprise ;  but  being  too  much  occupied  with  present 
objects  to  trace  the  association,  he,  to  the  great  relief  of  his  con 
fused  daughter,  reverted  to  the  scene  before  him,  and  said, 
"You  may  be  right  after  all, — if  so,  victory  is  certain.  But  turn 
now  to  the  fort  and  see  what  is  going  on  there." 

"I  will — I  am,  father,"  replied  the  flustered  girl.  "Ah!  I 
have  a  view  again :  now  the  conference  between  the  commander, 
or  man  on  the  walls  and  the  two  messengers,  seems  to  be  broken 
off.  The  latter  are  departing.  But  now  the  man  seems  to  be 
(•tilling  them  back.  They  turn  to  him  again  and  hold  parley. 
Uow  the  messengers  turn  quickly  round,  and  wave  their  flag  to 
their  companions,  who  seem  suddenly  to  be  put  in  motion.  And, 
see !  see !  their  whole  body  is  rushing  towards  the  fort.  How  their 
guns  glimmer  through  the  trees  as  they  pour  along  the  path! 
How  their  commander's  Sword  flashes  in  the  sun,  as  half  turning 
he  whirls  it  about  his  head  to  motion  them  on!  There!  there! 
father,  they  mount  the  swell! — they  approach  the  walls — the 
gate  is  thrown  open;  and  now  they  disappear  within  the  works, 
'and  all  is  still." 

"  And  all  without  a  single  gun  being  fired  in  defence  of  Old 
Frederick!  impossible!"  exclaimed  the  Captain,  with  mingled 
feelings  of  joy  for  the  success  of  his  countrymen,  and  shame  for 
the  garrison,  who  would  surrender,  without  resistance,  a  fortress 
which  years  of  his  life  had  been  spent  in  helping  to  wrest  from 
the  Frenchmen. 

"Here!  look,  look,  father!  "  again  exclaimed  the  excited  girl, 
"  The  lion  flag  goes  down!  another  of  a  lighter  color  goes  up' 
Have  they  not  conquered  father  ?— They  have!  They  have!  and 
oh  1  how  thankful !  " 

"Yes!  'tis  all  over!  "  responded  the  Captain,  rubbing  his  hands 
inecstaey.  "Quick  work,  by  heavens!  Not  a  gun  fired! — uo^ 


202  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

a  man  killed,  and  the  old  Lion  is  flat  on  his  back!  The  com 
mand  of  the  whole  of  Lake  Champlain  is  ours !  Huzza  for  liberty !  * 
he  shouted,  leaping  from  the  ground,  forgetful  of  his  lameness  in 
the  excitement  of  the  moment,  and  throwing  his  hat  into  the  air  : 
"  Huzza  for  the  Green  Mountain  Boys!  They  deserve  a  heca 
tomb  for  their  victories !  " 

At  this  instant  a  dozen  columns  of  smoke  shot  out  fiercely  from 
the  walls  of  the  fortress,  and  the  deafening  peal  of  cannon,  which 
followed,  announced  to  the  shuddering  hills  around  the  surrender 
of  the  last  controlling  foot-hold  of  British  power  on  the  waters  of 
Lake  Champlain,  to  the  prowess  and  patriotism  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys. 

Alma  now  delivering  up  the  spy-glass  to  her  father,  hastened 
into  the  house,  and  took  a  seat  in  her  window,  where,  unobserved 
by  any,  she  could  observe  what  further  movements  might  tran 
spire  at  the  scene  of  action,  and  at  the  same  time  freely  indulge 
in  her  emotions  of  joy  and  gratitude  for  the  preservation  of  her 
lover,  whom  she  had  distinctly  made  out  to  be  the  leader  of  the 
victorious  party. 

An  hour  or  two  after  the  surrender,  a  skiff,  containing  a  single 
individual,  put  off  from  the  shore  under  the  fort,  and  directed  its 
course  to  the  landing  below  the  cottage.  The  individual,  on 
reaching  the  shore,  came  directly  towards  the  house,  and  was 
soon  ascertained  to  be  Neshobee  by  the  Captain,  who,  still  re 
maining  in  his  garden,  had  been  watching  the  coming  boat. 
The  Indian  rather  sheepishly  approached  his  master,  conscious, 
perhaps,  that  as  far  as  regarded  the  Captain,  he  had  played  the 
truant  in  joining  the  expedition. 

"Well,  Neshobee,"  said  the  Captain,  as  the  other,  with 
averted  face  came  carelessly  along,  "where  have  you  been  all 
this  time  ? " 

"Umph!  me  been  go  learn  fight  um." 

"I  thought  it  likely  enough  they  had  got  you  away  for  that,  as 
I  suspected  from  several  things  I  noticed  yesterday,  that  this  busi 
ness  was  afoot.  But  how  did  you  know  I  should  be  willing  you 
should  join  in  these  doings  ?  " 

"What  you  tell  big  Cappen — Colonel,  who  make  believe  drunk 
todder  night  ? " 

"Well,  well,  my  lad,  I  don't  mean  to  scold  you  much  for  join 
ing  in  so  good  a  work,  though  you  might  have  talked  with  me  * 
little  before  you  went.  But  have  you  been  with  the  big  Cap 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  203 

tain,  who  is  no  other  than  Ethan  Allen,  Mr.  Sherwood  informed 
me?" 

"  Me  have." 

"Well,  he  was  commander  of  the  expedition,  I  suppose  — 
what  did  he  and  his  men  do  there  at  Ticonderoga." 

"They  take  um  red-coats, — pile  up  their  guns  for  no  let  um 
have  um  more, — fire  big  guns,  more  fifty — hoo!  bang!"  replied 
the  Indian  with  significant  gestures. 

"And  was  it  the  big  Captain  who  come  on  with  the  men  to 
take  this  fort  ?  " 

"  No,  young  Cappen,  Major,  what  you  call  Misser  Howard." 

"Well,  you  may  go,  now,"  said  Hendee,  impatiently,  motion 
ing  the  other  to  go  on  to  the  house. 

'•  How  proud  I  should  now  be  of  that  same  Warrington,  outlaw 
though  he  be,  but  for  this  accursed  business !  "  muttered  the 
Captain  «to  himself,  after  the  Indian  had  departed,  with  a  tone 
and  manner  in  which  admiration  and  dislike,  kindness  and  resent 
ment,  regret  and  bitterness,  were  strangely  blended.  Hang  me, 
if  I  don't  almost  think  the  better  of  the  girl  for  liking  him. 
Though  if  Jake's  stories  be  true! — I  wonder  now  if  the  fellow 
did  not  lie  to  me  ? — would  to  God  things  had  been  different ! 
But  they  are  not  different,  and  won't  be ;  and  hell  town !  what 
am  I  talking  about?  It  can't  go — no,  no!  and  by  the  powers  of 
earth !  it  shan't  go,  an  inch  further,  or  I  will  make  the  house  too 
hot  for  her!" 

While  the  passionate  and  unhappy  father  was  thus  giving  vent 
to  his  conflicting  feelings,  the  Indian  entered  the  house,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  the  apartment  of  the  daughter,  who  had  also  noted  his 
approach,  and  beckoned  him  from  the  window  to  come  to  her 
room. 

"  Now  tell  me,  in  the  first  place,  Neshobee,"  said  she  eagerly, 
"  whether  Mr.  Sherwood  was  over  there  to  be  taken  prisoner  with 
the  rest?" 

"  Me  no  see  him." 

"You  said  yesterday,  he  was  then  there." 

"Me  see  him,  as  me  say,  then, — no  there  to-day  when  we 
come — guess  him  run." 

"Very  likely,  but  Darrow  was  there,  of  course,  was  he  not?" 

"Him  no  there,  too." 

"How  unfortunate!"  exclaimed  the  maiden  with  an  air  of 
disappointment  and  regret.  ';Not  even  one  of  them,  then,  is 
Well,  well.  Heaven  kaows  best;  and  in  that  I  will 


204  THE    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS, 

still  put  my  trust.  But  what  have  you  there?  "  she  added,  ashei 
quick  eye  caught  the  hand  01  the  other  fumbling  for  something 
in  his  pocket. 

"  Cappen  send  um,"  quietly  answered  Neshobee,  pulling  out  a 
billet,  which  was  instantly  snatched  from  his  hands  by  the  eager 
girl. 

"O,  why  not  have  told  me,  before!  But  you  may  go  now, 
Neshobee;  "  and  with  a  quick,  impatient  waving  of  her  hand,  she 
motioned  him  away. 

With  a  beating  heart  and  glowing  cheek,  the  happy  girl 
read  and  re-read,  many  times,  the  precious  note ;  when,  after 
pondering  anxiously  and  deeply,  awhile,  she  took  her  sheet  and 
wrote,  — 

"  Your  few  lines,  my  dear  sir,  have  been  received,  and  read,  I 
know  not  how  many  times  over,  and  with  an  interest'  which  I 
dare  not  acknowledge.  Your  propositions,  too,  have  been  all  can 
didly,  and  even  anxiously  weighed.  And  it  is  with  many,  very 
many  regrets,  my  more  than  friend,  that  I  am  forced  to  the  con 
clusion  that,  at  present,  it  were  better,  that  they  be  not  complied 
with.  You  first  propose  to  come  here  openly,  explain  to  my 
father  the  reasons  which  compelled  you  to  that  course,  which  he 
pretends  so  much  to  censure,  and  claim  the  privilege  of  address 
ing  me — all  the  explanations,  which  it  may  be  needful  to  make, 
would,  I  am  satisfied,  with  my  father's  present  feelings  and  im 
pressions,  be  better  listened  to  from  me  than  yourself.  And  most 
assuredly  they  shall  be  made  to  him  as  soon  as  his  mood  shall  be 
such  as  shall  warrant  the  belief  that  they  will  be  received  without 
passion  or  prejudice.  And  before  you  take  the  step  you  propose, 
I  could  wish  also  to  see  some  change  in  his  views  relative  to  the 
match  he  has  marked  out  for  me.  And  changed,  believe  mo, 
they  sooner  or  later  will  be.  Reason  will  at  length  resume  her 
sway;  and,  to  say  nothing  of  your  character,  the  character  of 
one  of  whom  I  would  not  willingly  speak  my  opinion,  must  soon 
be  better  known  to  him.  And  he  will  see,  and  feel,  for  himself, 
that  his  present  requirements  are  neither  wise  nor  generous 
But  do  not,  for  my  sake,  for  your  own  sake,  beloved  friend, 
attempt  to  accomplish  all  this  now,  under  circumstances  so  inaus 
picious:  for  I  feel  it  would  be  useless;  and  not  only  so,  but  lead 
probably,  to  the  defeat  of  the  objects,  and  consequently  the  hap- 
piness  of  us  both.  No,  Warriugton,  be  patient,  trust  in  Heaven 
to  expose  guilt,  and  reward  innocence,  and  rely  on  the  constancy 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  205 

of  her,  who  is  resolved  to  bring  about  a  state  of  things  when  her 
lover  can  be  received  in  her  father's  house  with  the  kindness  and 
respect  to  which  he  is  entitled. 

"  As  an  alternative,  in  case  I  disapprove  your  first  proposal, 
you  request  to  be  favored  with  secret,  or  stolen  interviews, — 
Warrington,  Charles  Warrinjjton !  would  you  recommend  such  k 
course  to  a  beloved  sister?  With  your  delicacy  of  sentiment,  with 
your  admiration  of  exalted  virtue,  I  know  you  would  not.  Why, 
then,  ask  it  of  one  whom  you  propose  to  make  more  than  a  sis 
ter?  Again,  dearest  friend,  I  must  say  to  you,  no !  I  have  ever 
disapproved  of  clandestine  meetings: — there  is  an  air  of  guilt 
about  them — a  something  that  seems  to  imply  a  consciousness 
of  wrong,  which  innocence  and  rectitude  of  purpose  should  never 
stoop  thus  tacitly  to  acknowledge.  And  the  same  views,  which 
have  led  to  the  disapprobation  of  these,  have,  in  most  respects,  an 
equal  application  to  the  measure  that  you  hint  it  may  be  expedi 
ent  for  us.  as  a  final  resort,  to  adopt, — a  private  elopement.  In 
some  countries,  and  in  some  states  of  society,  such  a  measure 
may,  perhaps,  be  sometimes  justifiable;  but  is  it  so  in  a  land 
like  ours,  where  force  is  rarely,  if  ever,  used  to  defeat  the  engage 
ments  of  lovers?  While  armed  with  the  panoply  of  virtue  and 
reason,  and  possessed  of  the  moral  courage  which  these  should 
ever  impart,  few  females,  I  apprehend,  need  here  resort  to  this 
questionable  practice.  And  were  I  to  be  wed  to  you  to-day,  Mr. 
Warrington,  it  should  be  done  openly,  and,  if  permitted,  in  the 
presence  of  my  natural  protector.  But  if  the  ceremony  were 
forbidden,  I  would  then,  after  frankly  apprising  him  of  my  in 
tentions,  as  openly  depart  with  you  to  a  place  where  it  would  be 
allowed.  And  if  force  were  employed  to  restrain  me,  I  would 
then  throw  myself  on  the  protection  of  him  who  would  defend, 
or  deserve  to  lose  me." 

"  You  know  not  how  rejoiced  is  my  heart  to  hear  of  your  per 
sonal  safety, — how  proud  to  learn  your  brilliant  successes,  and 
how  gratified  at  the  promotion  you  have  received.  You  say  you 
are  about  to  proceed  south,  to  make  enlistments  for  an  expedition 
into  Canada.  Go! — deserve  well  of  your  country,  be  true  and 
constant,  and,  while  you  remain  what  I  now  believe  you,  count 
me  so,  and  be  assured,  that  all  the  reward  that  this  poor  heart 
and  hand  can  confer,  shall  be  eventually  yours.  My  prayers  will 
attend  you  amidst  the  perils  of  war.  Apprise  me  often — as 
often  as  possible,  of  your  situation.  And,  notwithstanding  I 


206  THE    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

have  declined  your  present  proposals,  O,  do  not  believe  me  nowt 
do  not  hereafter  think  me,  less  devotedly  yours.  ALMA." 

When  Alma  had  finished  her  letter,  she  sought  her  trusty 
messenger,  and  confided  it  to  his  charge,  with  instructions  to 
convey  it  to  Warrington  at  the  fort  that  night,  or  as  soon  as  he 
could  absent  himself  without  exciting  the  observation  of  her 
father;  after  which  she  again  returned  to  her  solitary  apartment, 
and  soon  sought  her  pillow,  to  escape  the  perplexities  of  the 
present  in  the  bright  visions  of  the  future.  During  the  next  day, 
her  time  and  attention  were  more  than  usually  occupied  by  calls 
at  the  house,  from  those  passing  to  and  from  the  fort.  And  it 
was  not  till  nearly  night,  that  she  found  an  opportunity  to  escape 
from  the  company,  with  which,  in  successive  parties,  the  cottage 
had  been  thronged  through  the  day.  But  being  relieved  at 
length  from  these  hospitable  duties,  and  wearied  with  bustle,  in 
which  she  had  been  engaged,  she  threw  a  light  kerchief  over  her 
head,  and  wandered  into  the  fields  to  indulge  in  those  solitary 
musings  so  grateful  to  separated  lovers.  The  golden  sun  was 
just  sinking  behind  the  western  hills.  The  earth  was  a  varie 
gated  carpet  of  flowers  beneath  her  feet ;  and  tempted  by  the 
beauty  of  the  evening,  she  continued  her  course  almost  uncon 
sciously,  down  the  little  vale  towards  the  woods;  and  before  she 
was  aware  how  far  she  had  wandered,  she  had  arrived  at  the 
border  of  the  field,  and  was  standing  by  the  tree  beneath  which 
Warrington  had  first  breathed  to  her  the  word  "love."  After 
indulging  awhile  in  the  associations  which  this  sequestered  spot 
awakened  in  her  mind,  she  turned,  and  was  retracing  her  steps 
homeward,  when  she  was  startled  by  the  sharp  rattling  voice  of 
some  one  a  few  rods  below  her,  and  turning,  she  beheld  Pete 
Jones  making  his  way  up  the  slope  towards  her. 

"Hold  up  a  little  bit  there,  lady,  that  is,  if  you  're  a  mind  to," 
he  said,  respectfully  approaching  and  holding  up  a  letter  between 
his  thumb  and  finger.  "There's  a  little  concern  of  a  letter, 
which  Captain  Selden  handed  me  to  give  you." 

"Indeed!  an  answer  from  Skenesboro' so  soon  ?  "  said  Alma, 
with  a  subsiding  blush,  which  was  raised  by  the  thought  first 
occurring  to  her  mind  that  the  message  came  from  another 
quarter. 

"Answer  to  the  letter  the  nigger  had,— d'ye  mean?— why, 
yes,  rather  spose  so.  Any  how,  I  believe  it  came  from  that  little 
hum -bird  of  a  girl  that  WQ  caught  at  that  small  scrape  we  had 


THE    GREEN   MOUtfTAItf   HOYS.  20? 

with  the  old  podunk  of  a  Scotchman  and  his  folks,  at  the  Lower 
Falls,  a  week  or  two  ago." 

"  You  mean  Miss  Reed,  probably — hare  you  been  up  to  Skenes- 
boro',  since  yon  were  here  ? " 

"  O,  yes,  a  lot  of  us  went  up  there  yesterday,  after  things  had 
been  pretty  well  fixed  at  Old  Ti." 

"  For  what  purpose,  if  I  may  ask,  sir  ?  " 

"  Why  only  just  to  let  the  Major  there  know,  that  the  Conti 
nental  Congress  had  kinder  taken  a  fancy  to  his  stone  house.  At 
all  events,  Captain  Selden  told  them  something  of  that  sort,  as 
we  made  them  all  prisoners  there." 

"What!  the  ladies  and  all  ? — I  trust  they  will  have  no  reason 
to  complain — " 

' '  Ah,  you  needn't  borry  no  trouble  there  mum,  I  guess.  The 
ladies  wont  be  very  likely  to  cry  their  eyes  out,  at  falling  into 
the  hands  of  such  a  chap  as  Captain  Selden — now  you  see  if 
they  do  ?  For  instance,  mum,  by  way  of  a  similar,"  continued 
Pete,  beginning  to  look  mischievous,  being  no  longer  able  to 
keep  down  his  ruling  propensity  for  joking,  "  for  instance,  sup 
pose  now,  that  Major  Warrington  should  come  over  here  with 
men  enough — and  'twouldn't  take  over  a  thousand  neither,  may 
hap—" 

"  You  need  not  trouble  yourself  to  explain,  sir,"  interrupted 
Miss  Hendee,  rather  nurriedly.  "The  letter  will  inform  me  of 
all  particulars,  doubtless.  You  will  now  excuse  me,  as  I  must 
return.  But  perhaps  you  will  go  to  the  house  for  some  refresh 
ment,  or  to  remain  with  us  through  the  night  ?  " 

"Why  no, — thank'ee  mum,"  replied  the  other,  a  little  abashed 
at  the  dignity  which  the  girl  had  assumed.  "  No,  I  must  be  off 
to  my  traps :  I  am  a  sort  of  a  water-mail  to  carry  orders  to-day. 
Captain  Selden  sent  me  on  this  morning,  with  despatches  to  old 
thunder-bolt,  Colonel  Allen,  you  know.  Well,  the  Colonel,  he 
sent  me  with  my  little  bird  of  a  canoe  agoing  again,  like  a  foot 
ball,  down  here  to  Crown  Point,  to  notify  the  Major  to  come  up  to 
a  council  there,  to-night,  or  in  the  morning.  So  you  see  I  must 
put  on  with  my  errand,  as  I  haven't  been  to  the  fort  yet.  You 
may  just  tell  the  old  Captain  at  the  house,  if  you're  a  mind 
to,  that  my  ague,  since  I  was  there  hasn't  been  very  desput, 
considering." 

So  saying,  the  jolly  borderer  turned,  and  bounded  down  the 
slope  like  a  young  colt,  giving  vent  to  the  exuberance  of  his 
animal  spirits,  as  soon  as  he  W*fl  fairly  out  of  the  restraining  pres- 


208  THE    GHEEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

ence  of  the  lady,  in  his  favorite  old  chorus,  "  Trol,  lol,  lol   de 
larly!" 

Hastening  to  the  house,  and  then  to  her  room,  Miss  Hendee 
eagerly  tore  open  the  letter  just  received,  and  read  as  follows : 

"Be  astonished,  O,  ye  heavens!  and  Alma  Hendee,  be  you 
thunder-struck!  as  I  know  you  will  be,  when  you  learn,  that  we 
are — every  man  of  us, — the  Major  and  all,  prisoners  of  war!  Yes, 
I  am  a  second  time  prisoner  to  Mr.  Selden !  What  means  it, 
Alma  ?  There  is  some  strange  fatality  about  it,  that  passes  my 
poor  comprehension.  O,  for  some  one  deeply  skilled  in  scanning 
the  future — some  one  gifted  with  the  second  sight,  which  is 
claimed  by  our  Highland  seers  in  Scotland,  to  divine  to  me  the 
portent  of  this  singular  happening !  How  very  surprised  we  all 
were  when  they  landed — a  body  of  armed  men — and  marched  up, 
taking  possession  of  the  yard,  and  disarming  our  soldiers. 

The  Major  was  in  the  house,  and  never  mistrusted,  I  really  be- 
believe,  what  could  be  their  object,  till  they  had  seized  the  sloop 
and  batteaux,  and  by  their  rapid  movements  in  surrounding  the 
men,  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  make  any  resistance.  All  this 
was,  seemingly,  the  work  of  a  moment.  And  before  we  had  re 
covered  from  the  first  shock  of  the  surprise,  Mr.  Selden,  who  ap 
peared  to  be  chief  in  command,  had  entered  the  house,  and  with 
drawn  sword,  stood  before  us.  The  Major  then,  indeed,  began  to 
show  some  symptoms  of  uneasiness — more,  however,  even  then,  I 
thought,  at  the  presence  of  one,  whom  he  evidently  has  both  feared 
and  hated,  since  the  former  visit,  than  because  he  really  supposed 
he  was  in  earnest  about  capturing  the  establishment.  After  Mr. 
Selden  had  politely  saluted  us,  ladies,  he  bowed  formally  to  the 
Major,  who  returned  the  compliment  only  by  a  vain  attempt  to  get 
his  organs  of  speech  in  motion. 

"  Who  ? — what  ? — Hem !  "  he  stammered,  stepping  restlessly 
about  the  room,  and  looking  daggers  at  the  other.  '  *  Why,  sir — 
I  should  like  to  know,  sir,— yes,  sir— let  me  tell  you,  sir,  what  I 
think  of  you,  sir  " — 

"O,  never  trouble  yourself,  Major,"  replied  Mr.  S.  with  a 
satirical  smile,  "it  might  take  you  a  longer  time  than  I  could  pos 
sibly  spare  to  devote  to  so  unimportant  a  purpose." 

"  Why,  sir  I  "  resumed  my  doughty  warrior  of  a  lady's  parlor, 
— "d — n  you,  sir!  do  you  mean  to  insult,  sir  ? — I'll  just  let  you 
know,  sir — you'll  just  please  to  walk  out  of  the  house,  sir !  " 

"O,   be  patient,  Major,"  rejoined    Selden,  with  the  most  pro- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  209 

yoking  coolness.      "  Let  me  explain  to  these  ladies  the    nature  ol 
our  call,  lest  they  be  unnecessarily  alarmed." 

He  then  informed  us  of  the  outbreaking  of  the  war,  the  capture 
of  Ticonderoga — and  the  determination  of  the  Americans  to 
possess  themselves  of  this  post,  also ;  and  consequently  the  necessi 
ty  of  our  removal  to  some  other  place,  to  which  he  assured  us  of  a 
safe  escort. 

"Now,  Major,"  said  he,  turning  to  the  other,  who  had  several 
times  broken  in  on  Mr.  S.,  "I  have  only  to  say  to  you,  that  both 
you,  and  all  your  men  are  prisoners  of  war." 

Even  then  the  Major  could  scarcely  comprehend  wnat  had  be 
fallen  him  ;  for  he  again  began  to  bluster  and  threaten.  But 
Selden,  at  once  cutting  him  short,  ordered  him  away ;  when  they 
both  left  the  house  together.  I  never  saw  creatures  so  puzzled 
and  confounded  as  were  Marge  and  Merry  Skene.  They  neither 
knew  what  to  say  or  how  to  act.  As  for  myself,  I  could  hardly 
hold  in  till  the  gentlemen  had  left  the  room,  when  I  fairly  shed 
tears  with  the  laughter,  which  I  could  not  repress,  at  the  ludicrous 
scene  I  had  witnessed.  In  regard  to  the  valiant  Major,  he  will 
not,  probably,  make  much  more  fuss  about  the  affair  to-day.  To 
morrow  he  will  be  considerably  moved  at  the  disaster ;  and  by  the 
next  day,  he  will  have  so  collected  his  ideas  and  his  wrath,  that  he 
will  be  tremendously  mad. 

They  took  the  place  about  noon ; — since  which  we  ladies  have 
held  our  council  of  war.  And  it  has  been  decided  that  we  take 
our  departure  to-morrow  morning  for  Albany,  where  we  shall  at 
present  remain,  with  a  connection  of  the  Skenes'.  I  should  have 
certainly  preferred,  for  myself,  to  go  and  reside  with  you. 
But  I  dare  not  name  it  to  them ;  for  the  girls  are  already  as 
jealous  of  me  as  witches ;  and  I  well  knew,  that  should  I  make 
such  a  proposition,  it  would  be  attributed  to  a  secret  wish  to  be 
where  I  could  see  more  of  Mr.  S.  And  further,  I  am  not  quite 
sure,  but  they  might  be  so  kind  as  to  communicate  their  sus 
picions  to  father;  for  I  have  a  father,  who  may  claim  a  voice  in 
some  matters  as  well  as  you.  Now  don't  draw  any  inferencea 
from  that  observation,  Alma ;  because,  positively,  there  are  none 
to  draw. 

Mr.  Selden  handed  me  your  letter,  brought  by  black  Jack,  till 
he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  powers  that  be.  I  read  it  with 
much  interest, — the  more  so,  perhaps,  as  I  thought  of  the  pos^ 
sibility  that  we  may  yet  have  cause  to  mingle  our  sympathies 

I  shall  remain  with  the  Skenes  till  father  returns — if  he  does 


210  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

return;  for  now  we  have  war,  I  am  rather  uncertain  what  course 
lie  will  pursue.  Should  he  receive  a  commission  that  suits  him, 
he  may  engage  in  the  war.  This,  however,  is  doubtful.  And  I 
think  it  very  likely  he  will  remain  neutral,  as  I  suspect  he  thinks 
the  government  have  not  done  him  justice.  At  all  events,  I  don't 
believe  he  feels  very  bitter  towards  the  Americans;  but  if  he  does, 
I  know  of  one  who  don't. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Selden  is  to  escort  us  in  person  to  Albany ;  and  what 
is  better,  the  Major  is  compelled  to  go  with  the  other  prisoners 
to  Ticonderoga.  His  face  is  most  unreasonably  long  at  this 
arrangement — I  think  he  will  be  crazy  by  to-morrow.  Marge  is 
secretly  rejoiced,  and  I  know  another  who  is  less  sad  about  it 
than  she  might  be.  I  have  had  a  conversation  with  Mr.  Selden 
alone,  which  has  shown  me  that  he  can  be  serious  when  he 
pleases.  But  I  have  no  time  left  me  to  state  particulars.  In  my 
next  I  will  be  more  explicit. 

Adieu,  adieu. 


CHAPTER  V. 


"  With  pleasures,  hopes,  affections  gone, 
The  wretch  may  bear,  and  yet  live  on, 
Like  things  within  the  cold  rock  found 
Alive,  when  all's  congeal'd  around" 


DURING  the  week  succeeding  the  stirring  and  important  events, 
•which  we  have  been  endeavoring  to  describe,  circumstances 
of  both  a  public  and  private  nature,  conspired  to  bring  Miss 
Hendee  in  contact  with  her  neighbors  and  acquaintances,  much 
more  than  usual.  The  recent  change  of  masters  at  the  fort 
having  led  to  a  new  and  frequent  intercourse  with  the  inhabitants 
of  this  section  of  the  country,  many  of  both  sexses  had  called  at 
the  cottage,  on  their  visits  to  their  friends,  who  were  now  mem 
bers  of  the  garrison.  Business  connected  with  her  father's  house 
hold  concerni  had  also  caused  her  to  make  several  calls,  during 
the  period  above  mentioned,  at  the  houses  of  the  different  set 
tlers  in  the  neighborhood.  It  could  not  reasonably  be  supposed, 
in  a  country  settlement  where  people,  in  the  absence  of  other 


THE    G%EE$    MOUtfTAltf   SOTS.  211 

employment  of  their  leisure,  are  usually  so  curious  respecting 
the  affairs  of  their  neighbors,  and  where  every  kind  of  gossiping 
always  finds  so  ready  a  circulation,  that  the  visits  of  so  distin 
guished  a  young  gentleman  as  Warrington,  at  a  house  contain 
ing  one  so  lovely  and  excellent  as  Alma  Hendee,  had  been 
suffered  to  transpire  without  being  generally  known,  and  com 
mented  on,  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.  Such,  at  all  events 
appeared  not  to  have  been  the  case  in  the  present  instance :  for 
Miss  Hendee  soon  discovered,  that  her  social  intercourse  with  her 
lover,  as  limited  as  it  had  recently  been,  was  well  understood 
by  nearly  every  one  of  her  acquaintance  with  whom  she  now 
happened  to  fall  in  company.  And  many  were  the  jokes  and 
banterings  which  she  was  compelled  to  meet  on  the  subject.  But 
there  was  one  circumstance  attending  them  which  soon  struck 
her  as  peculiar  and  uncommon  in  such  kind  of  rallyings;  and 
this  was,  that,  instead  of  the  flattering  and  grateful  approvals,  and 
happy  predictions,  usually  uttered  on  such  occasions,  they  were 
now,  in  almost  every  instance,  accompanied  with  some  manifesta 
tions  of  regret  or  disapprobation,  at  the  conjectured  intimacy — - 
some  hesitation  of  manner,  some  ominous  shaking  of  the  head 
or  some  mysterious  hinting  at  the  dangers  that  would  attend  the 
connection,  which  none,  at  the  same  time,  seemed  to  treat  as  one 
that  would  terminate  in  marriage.  At  first,  Alma  paid  but  little 
attention  to  these  intimations ;  but  as  they  were  repeated,  they 
began  to  occasion  her  considerable  uneasiness.  And  when  she 
found  them  coming  from  all  quarters,  prudence  would  no  longer 
permit  her  to  pass  them  unheeded.  And  she  began  to  busy  her 
mind  in  trying  to  account  for  impressions,  which  she  supposed  to 
be  much  too  general  to  be  attributed  to  chance  opinions,  or  per 
sonal  prejudices.  She  felt  satisfied  that  this  feeling  could  not 
proceed  from  any  wish  to  favor  Sherwood's  pretentious  to  her 
hand ;  for  she  well  knew  he  was  no  favorite  with  the  people  at 
large.  Nor  could  she  perceive  how  it  could  arise  from  any  ill 
opinion  entertained  against  Warrington,  who,  as  she  had  been 
told,  was  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  the  settlers  generally, 
both  for  the  signal  services  he  had  publicly  rendered  them,  and 
for  the  many  excellent  traits  of  his  private  character.  Although 
delicacy  of  feeling,  as  well  as  prudence,  prevented  her  making 
any  enquiries  of  those  who  had  introduced  this  subject,  yet  the 
amount  of  what  she  had  gathered  from  them  seemed  to  indicate 
the  existence  of  some  insurmountable  barrier  to  the  union,  to 


212  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

which  she  had  recently  engaged  herself.     But  what  the  nature 
of  this  obstacle  could  be,  she  was  wholly  unable  to  conjecture. 

One  day,  after  making  one  of  her  excursions  among  the  set* 
tiers,  she  had  returned  home  under  an  unusual  depression  of 
spirits,  occasioned  by  some  hints  and  warnings  of  a  more  pointed 
nature  than  she  had  before  received,  together  with  the  mortifying 
reflection  that  her  views  and  feelings,  in  regard  to  her  secretly 
contemplated  union,  had  found  no  response  in  the  minds  of  her 
acquaintance.  Although  an  easy  credulity  formed  no  part  of  the 
discriminating  mind  of  Miss  Hendee,  yet  prudence  and  discretion 
were  ever  among  the  leading  traits  of  her  finely  balanced  charac 
ter.  And  these  taught  her  the  necessity  of  pausing  in  the  path 
she  had  begun  to  tread,  lest  it,  indeed,  should  be  found  to  be 
beset  with  dangers,  which  had  been  concealed  from  her  view. 
She  recalled  to  mind  some  insinuations  thrown  out  by  Sherwood 
at  his  late  visit,  by  which,  she  now,  on  reflection,  supposed  he 
intended  she  should  believe,  that  Warrington  was  not  only  a  lib 
ertine,  but  that  he  had,  by  a  clandestine  marriage,  entered  into 
with  some  of  his  victims  for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  his 
designs,  put  it  out  of  his  own  power  to  contract  a  legal  marriage 
with  another.  Considering  those  insinuations  at  the  time  entirely 
false  and  malicious,  she  had  instantly  rejected  them  from  her 
mind,  without  paying  attention  enough  to  them  to  examine  the 
import  of  the  words  by  which  they  were  conveyed.  But  now, 
on  recurring  to  the  subject,  and  comparing  Sherwood's  words 
with  the  dark  hints  she  had  since  received  from  others,  she  could 
not  but  be  startled  with  the  coincidence  she  perceived  in  all  the 
different  intimations  that  she  had  heard.  And  the  more  she 
reflected  on  the  various  remarks  of  her  acquaintance,  all  seeming 
to  tend  to  the  same  point,  and  to  be  strangely  corroborative  of 
each  other,  the  more  apprehensive  she  became  of  the  existence 
of  some  fact,  which  would  not  only  level  with  the  dust  the  fair 
fabric  of  prospective  happiness  she  had  lately  been  rearing,  but 
would  place  her  in  no  enviable  position  before  the  public,  when 
the  step  she  had  taken  should  become  known. 

While  Miss  Hendee  was  revolving  these  distracting  thoughts 
in  her  mind,  that  had  now  reached  that  state  of  uncertainty 
and  fluctuation  which  peculiarly  fits  it  for  the  reception  of 
questionable  statements,  her  reflections  were  interrupted  by  the 
entrance  of  a  man,  who  announced  himself  as  a  tinker,  wishing 
to  know  whether  there  were  any  wares  in  the  house  which 
required  the  aid  of  his  profession.  Being  answered  in  the  affirm- 


THE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  213 

ative,  be  pulled  off  his  pack,  and,  producing  his  tools,  went  to 
work  on  such  utensils  as  were  brought  him  for  repairing.  He 
Was  a  man  of  a  loquacious  turn;  and  he  had  scarcely  become 
seated  at  his  work,  before  his  tongue  was  going  as  rapidly  as  his 
hammer.  Being  somewhat  amused  at  the  remarks  she  heard  him 
make  to  Ruth,  the  domestic  of  whom  we  have  before  spoken, 
Alma  soon  quitted  the  adjoining  room,  where  she  had  seated 
herself,  and,  entering  the  kitchen,  took  a  seat,  and  fell  into  con 
versation  with  the  talkative  stranger,  occasionally  asking  a  ques 
tion  herself,  and  good  naturedly  answering  the  various  questions 
he  put  to  her,  as  he  rapidly  roved  from  subject  to  subject,  in  so 
disconnected  a  manner,  that  it  would  have  puzzled  a  philosopher 
to  have  traced  the  association  of  the  man's  ideas. 

"Your  fort  over  here  has  lately  changed  masters,  I  learn,"  he 
carelessly  observed,  after  he  had  started  and  despatched  every 
other  topic  which  he  apparently  could  think  of  as  connected  with 
the  affairs  of  the  neighborhood, — "  I  wonder  who  has  the  com 
mand  of  the  place  under  the  new  order  of  things  ?  " 

"  Major  Warrington,  I  believe,"  replied  Alma,  as  a  slight  tinge 
overspread  her  fair  cheek. 

"Major  Warrington,  Warrington,  did  you  say  ?  "  said  the  man 
enquiringly,  repeating  the  name:  "not  Charles  Warrington  of 
Bennington  way  ?  " 

"Yes,  the  same,  sir,"  replied  the  other. 

"Now  I  want  to  know !  Do  tell  us  if  he  has  got  to  be  Major  ? " 
half  exclaimed,  and  half  enquired  the  seemingly  surprised 
tinker. 

"  Is  he  a  former  acquaintance  of  yours,  sir?"  asked  Alma, 
turning  with  a  look  of  interest  to  the  man. 

"Lord,  yes!"  exclaimed  he,  with  great  apparent  simplicity. 
"  Why  mam,  I  have  known  him  ever  since  he  was  knee  high  to  a 
toad — used  to  live  in  the  same  town  with  him  and  his  father's 
f-.iinily,  in  old  Connecticut,  before  they  moved  to  the  Grants,  and 
have  seen  Charles  there  often  since,  on  his  visits  back  among  his 
relations — and — and  old  sweethearts,"  he  continued,  looking  up 
roguishly  to  Alma,  as  if  to  see  how  the  last  remark  took  with 
her,  but  perceiving  the  uneasiness  of  her  looks,  he  jocosely  added, 
"Why,  I  spose  the  girls  know  that  the  young  men  will  have 
sweet-hearts,  don't  they  ?  " 

"I  pretend  not  to  know  young  gentlemen's  business,  sir,"  re 
plied  Alma,  in  a  voice  tremulous  with  suppressed  emotion. 


214  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

•'Well,  well,  I  meant  no  offence,"  rejoined  the  tinker,  seem 
ingly  abashed  at  the  poor  reception  of  his  rally. 

"You  have  given  me  none,  sir,"  timidly  remarked  the  other. 
"But  I  think  you  said  you  had  kept  up  your  acquaintance  with 
Mr.  Warrington,  and  you  may  know  whether — that  is  you  "-- 
and  she  paused,  unable  from  the  fluttering  of  her  heart  to  pro 
ceed  with  an  enquiry,  the  answer  to  which  would  probably  in 
volve  her  every  hope  of  happiness  for  life :  for  she  felt  that  this 
plain  and  apparently  honest  man,  with  his  intimate  knowledge 
of  Warrington's  previous  life  and  character,  would  be  able  to 
furnish  her  testimony,  which  would  remove  her  apprehensions, 
or  confirm  them,  and  seal  her  doom  for  ever. 

"  May  know  what,  marm?"  asked  he,  after  waiting  patiently 
awhile  for  her  to  proceed. 

Alma  made  an  effort  to  go  on ;  but  so  great  was  her  agitation 
that  she  could  not  utter  a  syllable,  and  she  remained  silent. 

' '  Yes,  I  know  all  about  Charles  Warrington  as  well  as  any 
other  man,"  resumed  the  fellow,  after  he  saw  the  other  was  not 
likely  to  go  on  with  his  enquiry.  "  A  considerable  of  a  chap  he 
is,  too.  In  fact  he  is  a  smart  fellow;  and  a  lively  one,  too, 
in  the  main.  I  never  knew  but  one  mean  trick  about  him 
in  my  life ;  and  that  was  shuffling  off  and  deserting  that  poor 
simple  wife  of  his,  that  he  married  kinder  privately  there  in  Con 
necticut,  a  year  or  two  ago." 

Had  a  winged  shaft  from  an  Indian's  bow,  at  that  instant  been 
driven  through  the  heart  of  Alma  Hendee,  the  convulsive  start, 
the  sudden  contraction  of  the  muscles  of  her  face,  and  the  fearful 
death-gasp,  would  have  been  scarcely  more  visible  than  was  the 
effect  of  the  words  of  the  last  speaker.  She  sat  a  moment  as 
if  suddenly  paralyzed  in  all  her  senses.  Presently  commenced 
the  twitching,  nervous  motion  of  her  fingers,  as  she  rapidly 
handled  over  the  work  in  her  lap.  Then  suddenly  rising,  she 
went  to  the  window,  and  gasping  for  breath,  stood  an  instant 
vacantly  gazing  out  upon  the  landscape,  with  a  face  as  white  as 
the  bloodless  marble.  She  then  turned  quickly  away,  and,  with 
hurried,  unsteady  steps,  rushed  out  of  the  room.  Reaching  her 
own  apartment  she  again  stopped  short,  and  remained  several 
moments  mute  and  motionless  as  a  statue,  while  the  woe-striken 
expression  of  her  countenance  and  the  silent  workings  in  the 
muscles  of  her  blanched  and  beautiful  features,  as  she  stood, 
like  a  tearless  Niobe,  with  her  anguished  eye  upcast  to  heaven, 
and  both  bands  pressed  tightly  against  her  heart,  told,  more  for- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  215 

cibly  than  language  can  express,  the  mental  agony  with  which 
she  was  contending. 

After  Alma  left  the  room,  the  miserable  wretch,  who  had  so 
cruelly  inflicted  this  dreadful  blow  upon  her  feelings,  hurried 
through  his  work,  received  his  stipulated  wages,  and  departed. 
No  sooner  had  he  turned  his  back  than  the  faithful  Ruth,  who 
had  noticed,  and  understood  all  that  had  passed,  hastened  with 
looks  of  visible  concern,  to  the  apartment  of  her  idolized  young 
mistress. 

"Alma!"  said  she,  tenderly  placing  her  hand  on  the  now 
burning  brow  of  the  suffering  girl,  who  had  flung  herself  upon 
her  bed,  where  she  was  lying,  with  one  hand  pressing  her  closed 
eyelids  and  the  other  her  side:  "Alma,  your  forehead  is  very 
hot— shall  I  bathe  it  ?  " 

"No,  no,  Ruth,"  faintly  murmured  the  fair  sufferer,  " it  is  no 
attack  of  disease :  my  head,  I  know,  is  some  fevered,  and  my 
eyes  are  sore,  very  sore;  but  the  trouble  is  here!"  she  added, 
indicating  the  spot  by  lifting  and  replacing  her  hand  upon  her 
heart. 

"I  was  aware  of  your  feelings  in  some  measure,  Alma,"  re 
plied  the  other  soothingly,  "and  being  like  yourself,  deceived 
in  the  character  of  the  man  of  your  secret  choice,  I  confess,  I  did 
not  disapprove  of  your  partiality.  But,  now,  Alma,  should  you 
not  be  thankful,  that  you  have  made  this  discovery  in  season  to 
retrace  your  steps,  and  escape  the  danger?  " 

u  Yes,  and  I  am,  I  certainly  am  ;  but  O,  Ruth,  Ruth,  you  little 
knew  how  much  I  loved  him  !  and  oh !  how  cruelly — cruelly  has  he 
repaid  my  lavished  affection !  " 

With  this  the  sealed  fountain  of  her  tears  suddenly  opened. 
And  as  the  pearly  drops  flowed  thick  and  fast  over  her  lovely 
cheeks,  she  breathed  more  freely ;  and  the  torture,  the  scorching, 
tearless  agony,  that  she  had  felt  withering  both  heart  and  brain, 
was  removed,  giving  place  to  the  mitigated  suffering  of  ordinary 
sorrow,  in  which  she  long,  long  indulged,  while  her  faithful 
domestic,  in  character  of  nurse  and  friend,  watched  over,  and 
comforted  her. 

The  next  morning,  when  Miss  Hendee  arose,  she  was  calm  and 
composed,  though  looking  extremely  pale.  Her  appearance  very 
plainly  told,  that  the  struggle  she  had  passed  through  had  been  a 
fearful  one ;  but  it  told,  also,  that  she  had  not  struggled  in  vain 
for  the  mastery  over  her  feelings.  Though  her  heart  had  been 
pierced  and  lacerated,  she  seemed  to  have  succeeded  in  silencing 


216  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

its  throbbings.  There  was  a  decision  in  her  looks  and  move 
ments,  that  indicated  the  stern  and  unwavering  resolves  she  had 
made.  And  in  pursuance  of  the  course  she  had  marked  out  f  or 
herself,  it  was  her  first  object  to  despatch  such  a  notice  to  War- 
rington  of  her  determination,  as  should  effectually  deter  him  from 
attempting  any  renewal  of  the  intercourse.  Accordingly,  after 
she  had  superintended,  as  usual,  the  household  affairs  of  the 
family  for  the  morning,  she  retired,  and  penned  the  brief  note  : — 

"MAJOR  WARRINGTON  : — Our  intimacy  is  forever  ended.  As  no 
explanations  need  be  given,  so  none  will  be  received.  I  trust, 
therefore,  that  no  further  communications  on  your  part  will  be 
attempted.  ALMA  HEN  DEE." 

Sealing  the  note,  she  summoned  Neshobee  to  her  room,  and  with 
the  same  desperate  sort  of  calmness  which  she  had  exhibited 
through  the  morning,  though  with  a  slight  tremor  in  her  voice, 
she  said  to  him : 

;'  Here,  Neshobee,  take  this  to  Major  Warrington  without  delay, 
if  you  can  find  him  within  twenty  miles  of  this  place.  But  I 
understand  that  there  was  a  vessel,  with  several  boats  filled  with 
troops,  arrived  from  the  south  last  night ;  and  he  probably  came 
with  them,  as  he  has  been  absent  from  the  fort,  I  am  told,  for  the 
purpose  of  enlisting  more  men.  Go,  give  it  him ;  and  do  not  stay 
an  instant  for  an  answer,  or  to  give  him  a  chance  to  question 
you." 

The  Indian,  who  perceived  both  in  her  words  and  manner,  that 
some  sudden  change  had  taken  place  in  the  connection,  which  he 
was  aware  existed  between  her  and  his  friend,  Warrington,  threw 
a  keen  enquiring  glance  upon  the  face  of  his  mistress,  and  seemed 
to  hesitate  and  linger,  as  if  for  an  explanation  of  so  unexpected  an 
errand.  But  receiving  only  an  impatient  motion  of  her  hand  foi 
his  immediate  departure,  he  turned  away,  and  with  an  air  of 
mingled  wonder  and  regret,  left  the  house  in  silence,  and  proceed 
ing  to  his  skiff  at  the  landing,  rowed  directly  over  to  the  fort. 
When  he  arrived  there  he  found  all  in  bustle  and  commotion, 
preparatory  to  an  expedition  into  Canada.  Allen,  Warrington, 
and  Arnold  had  arrived,  as  before  intimated,  the  evening  previous, 
with  a  schooner  and  a  number  of  batteaux,  filled  with  a  con 
siderable  body  of  troops,  collected  for  the  contemplated  expedi 
tion,  all  of  whom  were  now  on  the  point  of  embarking, — Arnold 
in  the  schooner,  with  such  Massachusetts  troops  as  had  arrived 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  217 

since  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  and  were  now  properly  under 
his  command,  and  Allen  and  Warrington,  with  the  remainder  of 
the  forces,  in  the  batteaux.  As  soon  as  the  Indian  reached  the 
shore  he  sought  out  Warrington,  and  put  the  note  into 
his  hand.  Receiving  it  as  one  who  might  be  expecting  a 
favor  of  the  kind,  the  latter  carefully  put  the  supposed  prize  into 
his  pocket,  and  informing  the  messenger,  that  he  had  one  for  him 
to  take  back  to  his  mistress  in  return,  he  turned  to  finish  the 
directions  he  was  at  the  moment  engaged  in  imparting  to  his  men. 
When  he  had  completed  the  business  immediately  on  hand, 
he  turned  to  look  for  Neshobee,  that  he  might  take  him  into  the 
fort  to  receive  the  letter  he  intended  to  send  back  by  him.  But 
after  searching  for  him  in  vain  among  the  men,  he  cast  his  eye  on 
to  the  lake,  and  to  his  surprise  and  vexation,  he  beheld  the  native 
rapidly  pulling  for  the  opposite  shore,  and  already  out  of  hailing 
distance.  Still  supposing,  however,  that  the  messenger  had 
misunderstood  his  request,  the  impatient  lover  hastened  to  a 
solitary  room  in  the  fort  for  the  purpose  of  reading  the  precious 
paper  alone,  and  adding  a  postscript  to  the  one  he  had  written, 
that  he  might  despatch  it  by  a  special  messenger  before  he  em 
barked.  As  soon  as  he  was  alone,  he  eagerly  broke  the  seal  of 
Alma's  brief  note,  and  read,  with  the  most  unmingled  pain  and 
astonishment,  its  unexpected  contents.  Hastily  rising  from  the 
seat  he  had  taken,  he,  for  many  minutes  rapidly  paced  the  room 
in  silence,  while  the  agitation  visibly  depicted  on  his  manly 
countenance  plainly  bespoke  the  depth  and  bitterness  of  his 
emotion. 

"Yes,  noble  girl,"  heat  length  mournfully  iaid,  "incapable 
of  intrigue  and  meanness  yourself,  you  have,  in  some  way,  un 
suspectingly  become  a  victim  to  the  snares  of  a  villian !  It  is — it 
must  be  so.  A  deception  has  been  practised  upon  you — a  gross 
deception  could  alone  have  prompted  to  a  measure  so  sudden, 
so  cruel,  so  inconsistent,  and  so  destructive,  as  I  know  it  must 
be  to  your  own  happiness.  Well,  well,  I  have  no  leisure  now, 
even  if  I  would,  to  enter  the  lists  with  this  despicable  plotter 
of  mischief,  who  has  thus  entered  our  Eden,  and  turned  its  hap 
piness  to  sorrow,  in  trying  to  ferret  out  his  villainies,  or  compete 
with  him  in  his  low  game  of  intrigue  and  deception.  I  must 
leave  you,  too  credulous  girl,  to  discover  for  yourself  the  arts  by 
which  you  have  been  duped,  and  the  injustice  you  have  done  mo 
— till  then,  farewell— till  then,  be  my  country  my  heart's  only 
mistress," 


218  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

Before  another  hour  had  elapsed,  Warrington  had  embarked 
with  his  troops,  and,  with  the  gallant  and  war-like  array  with 
which  he  was  borne  down  the  lake,  had  passed  from  the  scene  ol 
his  love  and  disappointment  on  his  way  to  fields  of  blood  and 
glory. 

It  comes  not  within  the  scope  of  our  design  to  accompany  our 
Green  Mountain  Boys  through  the  eventful  campaign  that  fol 
lowed  their  present  embarkation,  or  to  attempt  to  trace  the  varied 
fortunes  of  their  gallant  leaders,  —  the  daring,  talented,  and 
chivalrous  Allen,  who,  in  his  heroic  attempt  on  Montreal,  was 
taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  England  in  irons,  and  there  kept 
through  a  long  and  doleful  captivity,  which  deprived  his  country 
of  the  aid  of  one  of  her  most  energetic  sons  during  the  most  try 
ing  period  of  the  war, — the  skilful,  cool,  and  intrepid  Warring- 
ton,  whose  conduct  soon  won  for  him  the  admiration  of  his 
country, — the  gay  and  gifted  Selden,  whose  sword  and  pen  were 
alike  successfully  wielded  in  the  cause, — and  the  jolly  and  fear 
less  Jones,  who  became  known  as  the  most  sagacious  and  trusty 
scout-leader  in  the  northern  army.  These,  and  the  brave,  reso 
lute,  and  patriotic  men  under  their  command,  who  soon,  by  their 
courage  and  success  in  battle,  and  their  fidelity  to  the  cause  of 
freedom,  rendered  the  name  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  a  terror 
to  their  foes,  and  an  appellation  of  honor  among  their  admiring 
countrymen,  we  must  now  leave  to  struggle  with  their  enemies 
abroad,  while  we  remain  on  the  spot  we  have  chosen  as  the  scene 
of  our  story,  there  to  wait  their  return  to  make  the  place  once 
more  the  theatre  of  glorious  conflict. 

From  this  time  for  a  period  of  about  two  years,  there  was  a 
pause  in  the  action  of  our  story.  Although  the  events  which 
formed  its  commencement  were  intimately  connected  with  those 
attending  its  catastrophe,  yet  nothing  occurred,  during  that  in 
terval,  particularly  to  vary  the  aspect  of  the  one,  or  to  hasten  the 
other.  And  the  relative  situation  of  all  the  different  individuals 
of  our  "  dramatis  personse, "  from  this  time  separated  and  scat 
tered  in  various  directions,  remained  nearly  unaltered,  till  the 
tide  of  war,  combined  with  other  circumstances,  brought  them 
again  together  to  figure  on  the  scene  of  action  where  we  have 
thus  far  described  them.  We  propose,  therefore,  to  pass  lightly 
over  this  interval,  and  with  a  few  observations,  by  way  of  notic 
ing  the  situation  and  progress  of  affairs  in  the  Hendee  family  in 
the  meanwhile,  we  shall  proceed  at  once  to  the  closing  period  of 
our  story. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  219 

From  the  hour  of  her  supposed  discovery  of  the  duplicity  and 
base  conduct  of  Warrington,  life  was  but  a  joyless  blank  to 
Alma  Hendee.  Although  by  the  fortitude  and  firmness  of  her 
character,  aided  by  female  pride,  which  had  been  deeply  wound 
ed  by  the  mortifying  development,  she  had  succeeded  in  her 
determined  efforts  to  keep  from  sinking  under  the  cruel  dis 
appointment,  yet  she  could  not  but  feel,  that  the  young  affec 
tions,  which  she  had  thus  lucklessly  suffered  to  entwine  round 
her  heart,  and  root  themselves  in  its  very  core,  were  withered, 
never  to  be  revived  to  their  original  freshness  at  the  bidding  of 
another.  In  the  unbounded  confidence  of  her  youthful  love,  she 
had  squandered  her  heart's  best  treasures  on  one  from  whom 
neither  pride  nor  principle  would  longer  suffer  her  to  accept  a 
return.  And  she  was  deeply  conscious,  that  she  could  never 
gather  them  again,  to  bestow  them  on  a  more  worthy  object,  or 
where  they  would  yield  her  the  earthly  happiness  to  which  she 
had  begun  to  look  so  fondly  forward  in  her  anticipated  con 
nection. 

It  is  an  interesting  and  beautiful  trait  in  the  character  of  woman 's 
affections,  that  she  never  truly  worships  but  at  one  altar.  If 
that  remains  to  her,  though  no  new  attraction  be  added, — no  new 
inducement  offered  to  ensure  the  continuance  of  her  devotion, — she 
asks  no  more,  but  worships  on,  and  on,  more  deeply  and  fervently, 
till  the  heart,  that  offers  the  homage,  ceases  in  death  to  cling  to 
all  earthly  objects.  But  if  that  is  destroyed  or  removed,  the 
incense  of  her  heart  passes  away  with  it.  She  may,  indeed, 
sometimes  be  found  kneeling  at  another  shrine,  and  offering  up 
the  forms  of  devotion,  but  the  life,  the  spirit  of  the  worship  is 
forever  gone. 

After  the  rupture  between  Miss  Hendee  and  Warrington,  Sher 
wood  became,  for  a  while,  unusually  constant  in  his  visits  at 
Captain  Hendee's,  and  quite  assiduous  in  his  attentions  to  the 
listless  girl,  to  whom  they  were  offered.  At  his  first  call,  after 
that  event,  he  soon,  and  with  a  malicious  satisfaction,  discovered 
that  the  arts  he  had  put  in  practice  had  been  crowned  with  suc 
cess.  This  he  not  only  read  in  her  pale  face,  in  which  the  settled 
air  of  gloom  and  disappointment  were  visibly  depicted,  but  also, 
in  her  altered,  and  more  respectful  manner  towards  himself, 
which,  without  any  change  of  opinion  respecting  his  general 
character,  she  very  naturally,  though  unconsciously,  perhaps, 
exhibited  towards  him,  as  to  one  whom  she  now  exonerated 
from  the  particular  charges  to  which  she  believed  him  obnoxious- 


220  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

Having  satisfied  himself  of  this  state  of  things,  lie  at  first  cun- 
ningly  forebore  to  renew  his  former  pretensions  to  her  hand.  In 
a  short  time,  however,  he  began  again  to  make  professions  of 
attachment,  and,  without  asking  of  her  any  other  than  the  tacit 
acquiescence  she  had  formerly  yielded,  talked  of  their  engage 
ment  as  of  a  settled  business,  and  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to 
alter  the  relation  formerly  existing  between  them.  These  addres 
ses  Alma  rather  suffered  than  received ;  and  the  affair  between 
them  was,  in  this  manner,  allowed  by  her  to  fall  into  much  the 
same  train  in  which  it  was  moving  on  Warrington's  appearance. 
And  yet  she  still  had  but  little  thought  of  uniting  her  destinies 
with  those  of  Sherwood ;  but  continuing  to  hope  that  something 
would  eventually  occur  to  save  her  from  the  dreaded  fate,  she 
permitted  the  affair  to  glide  along  as  she  had  formerly  done, 
solely  out  of  regard  to  the  feelings  of  her  father  and  the  interests 
of  the  family.  And,  indeed,  now,  more  than  ever,  did  it  seem 
necessary,  that  the  family  should  avoid  a  rupture  with  Sherwood, 
as  they  were  becoming  more  and  more  dependent  on  his  assist 
ance.  With  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolution,  the  half  pay 
which  Captain  Hendee  had  before  regularly  received,  and  which 
had  constituted  his  main  dependence,  ceased  to  be  transmitted. 
And  he  was  therefore  driven  to  avail  himself,  from  time  to  time, 
of  the  offers  of  Sherwood  to  loan  him  money  to  meet  his  exigen 
cies.  In  this  manner  Miss  Hendee  wore  away  about  two  years 
of  her  dull  and  joyless  existence,  finding  nothing  in  the  present 
to  console  or  cheer  her  desponding  mind,  and  seeing  nothing  but 
clouds  and  darkness  in  the  future;  when  an  incident  occurred 
that  threw  a  new  light  upok  her  dark  and  cheerless  path,  and 
produced  a  revolution  in  her  whole  views  and  feelings,  as  sud 
den  and  complete,  as  the  event  which  caused  it  was  singular  and 
unexpected. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  221 


CHAPTER  VL 


;  A  sudden  joy  lights  up  my  loneliness,' 


IT  was  a  soft  and  balmy  evening,  in  that  loveliest  of  all  inonthi 
of  the  year  in  our  northern  clime,  delightful  June,  when  two 
ladies  were  seen  issuing  from  the  Heiidee  cottage,  to  wander 
abroad,  to  enjoy  the  beauties  of  the  evening,  and  hold  in  the  soli 
tudes  of  the  fields,  that  confidential  communion  on  the  subjects  of 
mutual  concern,  which  is  ever  interesting  to  friends,  who  have 
just  met  after  a  long  separation.  One  was  in  height  something 
above  the  ordinary  standard  of  women,  but  with  a  form  as  fault 
less  as  the  chiseled  marble.  Her  carriage  and  general  demeanor, 
though  easy  and  graceful,  were  yet  not  of  that  light  and  joyous 
kind,  which  generally  bespeaks  corresponding  lightness  of  heart, 
but  were  marked,  rather,  by  that  serious,  drooping  cast,  that  tells 
of  secret  cares  and  sorrows;  while  an  air  of  deep  and  pensive 
thoughtfulness  rested  in  her  dark  blue  eyes,  and  overspread  her 
somewhat  pale,  though  exquisitely  molded  features.  The  other 
female  was  a  trifle  smaller,  and  as  volatile  as  a  child  in  her  move 
ments.  The  very  reverse  of  her  companion,  she  seemed  to  be 
the  creature  of  joyous  impulses.  Though  both  possessed  far 
more  than  an  ordinary  shape  of  personal  beauty,  yet  theii  beauty 
was  of  an  entirely  different  order;  for  while  the  appearance  of 
the  former  was  calm,  intellectual,  and  commanding,  that  of  the 
latter  was  sprite-like  and  playful,  partaking  largely  of  that  certain 
prettiness,  that  eccentric  will  o'  wisp  sort  of  witchery,  which 
men  generally  pursue  eagerly  rather  than  worship  profoundly. 
They  were  both  old  acquaintances  of  the  reader,  and  we  will, 
therefore,  allow  them  to  announce  themselves  by  the  conversation 
that  now  ensued  between  them. 

"Now  tell  me,  Alma,"  said  the  smaller  girl,  "for,  in  spite  of 
all  the  dogged  silence  you  have  shown  in  your  letters  on  the  sub 
ject,  I  determined  I  would  know  the  first  time  I  saw  you — tell 
me,  I  say,  what  was  the  true  reason  of  your  dismissing  Warring- 
ton," 


222  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

" There  are  some  things,  Jessy,"  replied  the  other,  a which 
involve  such  imputations  on  our  own  prudence  and  discernment, 
and  are,  of  themselves,  so  humiliating  to  our  feelings,  that  we  can 
hardly  bring  ourselves  even  in  thought  to  recur  to  them, — much 
less  to  reveal  them  to  others.  And  this  is  the  main  reason  why 
I  have  never  apprised  you  of  the  fact  you  seek  to  know." 

"  Yes,  but  I  shall  not  let  you  off  on  such  a  reason,  you  may 
depend  upon  it.  Come,  come,  girl,  I  will  be  your  confessor,  and 
the  more  crossing  to  your  feelings  the  confession,  why  the  more 
it  will  be  for  your  good,  if  the  Catholic  priests  are  in  the  right  of 
it." 

"No,  Jessy,  let  us  forget  the  subject:  I  would  not  again  dis 
turb  my  feelings  by  recalling  to  mind  the  man  who  once  caused 
me  so  much  sorrow.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  I  was  grossly  de 
ceived  in  his  character." 

"Deceived!  How  deceived? — now  I  tell  you,  Alma  Hendee,  I 
will  know,  and,  as  I  am  to  live  with  you  till  father  returns  from 
England,  I  will  thorn  you  night  and  day,  till  you  tell  me." 

"Well,  then,  Jessy,  if  you  must  know,  the  cause  of  my  discard 
ing  him  was  the  best  of  all  causes;  because  he  could  never  be 
lawfully  mine;  for,  wherever  his  heart  may  have  been,  his  hand 
belonged  to  another.  And  while  he  was  vowing  his  heart  to  me, 
he  was  the  husband  of  a  living  wife  in  Connecticut.  What  say 
you  to  a  deception  like  that,  Jessy? " 

"Why,  monster! — if  so — but  how  know  you  that  fact, 
Alma?" 

"  I  received  intimations  of  it  from  various  sources,  which  I  dis 
believed,  when  a  man  called  here  who  was  well  acquainted  with 
Warhngton's  whole  career,  and  he  confirmed  all  that  I  had 
heard." 

"Warrington — the  high-minded,  and  brave  Colonel  Warring- 
ton,  guilty  of  baseness  like  that  ?  — Impossible !  Are  you  quite 
sure  that  there  is  not  some  mistake,  or  some  intended  deception, 
about  this,  Alma?" 

"Yes,  yes, — think  not  that,  with  my  unbounded  confidence  in 
the  man,  I  should  have  been  brought  to  believe  this  easily.  And 
Oh !  if  you  knew  what  the  discovery  cost  me !  " 

"But  did  you  apprise  him  of  this  discovery? " 

"No!" 

"Why?" 

' '  Simply,  because,  as  I  was  fully  satisfied  of  the  fact,  all  at 
tempted  explanations  would  not  only  fail  to  mend  the  matter,  but 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  223 

make  it  worse,  by  continuing  a  correspondence  which  would  be 
ruinous  to  me,  and  disgraceful  to  us  both." 

"Alma  Hcndee,  I  can  hardly  believe  this  strange  story.  I 
fear  you  have  been  deceived.  I  wish  I  had  known  it  before. 
Neither  Colonel  Warrington,  nor  Captain  Selden,  have  the  least 
idea  that  such  were  your  reasons  for  the  sudden,  and,  to  them, 
unaccountable  step  you  took.  I  have  conversed  with  them  both 
on  the  subject;  and  they  both  believe,  I  imagine,  that  you  were 
either  coerced  by  your  father,  or  were  laboring  under  some 
missapprehension.  Mr.  Selden,  I  know,  believes  this;  and  he 
told  me  on  our  way  here,  that  if  you  would  keep  yourself  from 
becoming  entangled  with  Sherwood,  the  affair  might  yet  be 
reconciled  between  you  and  the  Colonel,  who  yet  cherishes  for 
you  all  his  former  sentiments." 

"It  never  will  be  reconciled,  however,  Jessy." 

"Why,  you  have  not  seriously  determined  to  marry  Sherwood, 
havo  you?" 

"  I  can  hardly  bring  myself,  I  own,  to  think  seriously  of  such 
a  sacrifice,"  said  Alma  mournfully,  "I  certainly  never  should 
harbor  the  thought  a  moment,  if  I  had  now  any  other  object  to 
live  for,  than  to  render  my  infirm  and  embarrassed  father  as 
happy  as  possible.  This  I  see  but  one  way  of  doing.  And  as 
my  own  hopes  of  happiness  are  gone,  should  it  not  now  be  my 
duty  to  attend  to  his  in  the  only  way  I  can  accomplish  it  ?  At 
best  it  is  but  a  dark  and  dreary  prospect  that  lies  before  me, 
Jessy.  And  let  us  turn  from  it  now  to  your  own,  which  has  at 
least  hope  to  brighten  it." 

"Yes,  hope,  faith,  and  resolution,  come  what  will,  except  such 
a  damper  as  you  received.  By  the  way,  Alnia,  did  not  you 
think  that  your  father  was  a  good  deal  taken  with  Selden  for  so 
brief  an  acquaintance  as  his  short  stay  with  us  to  day  afforded?  " 

"I  did,  indeed,  and  with  great  pleasure,  notice  it.  And  well 
my  father  might  be  pleased  with  him ;  for  I  know  no  gentleman 
whom  I — " 

"Take  care!  take  care!"  briskly  interrupted  the  vivacious 
Jessy,  "Be  cautious  how  far  you  proceed  with  your  praises, 
Miss!" 

"I  will  be  moderate  rather  than  alarm  you,  then,"  replied 
Alma,  smiling. 

"  Well,  see  that  you  are;  or  I'll  be  jealous  as  sure  as  you  live\ 
Besides,  I  don't  care  a  fig  about  obtaining  your  praises  for  him. 
But  Captain  Hendee's  good  opinion  of  him  is  a  point  gained  with 


224  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

me;  for  my  father,  you  know,  has  placed  me,  and  my  destinies, 
too,  for  aught  I  know,  in  the  Captain's  hands  for  the  present.  I 
wish  I  could  get  a  peep  at  that  letter  of  instructions,  as  I  suppose 
it  was,  which  I  brought  from  my  father  to  yours.  What  cautious 
old  things  these  papas  are  about  us  girls,  are  they  not  now  ?  " 

"Your  father,  then,  suspects  your  attachment — does  he  ?  " 

"  Why,  that  is  what  I  am  myself  puzzled  to  decide.  Selden 
contrived  right  cunningly  to  get  introduced  to  my  father,  soon 
after  the  old  gentleman  arrived  at  Albany,  where  the  Green 
Mountain  troops,  with  their  officers,  have  been  posted  the  past 
season,  you  know.  They  have  since  met  several  times,  and  by  the 
fact  of  my  being  entrusted  to  Selden's  care  in  coming  on  here,  I 
know  father  considers  him  a  man  of  honor  at  least.  But  whether 
he  has  ever  suspected  the  truth  about  us,  I  have  been  wholly 
unable  to  ascertain.  If  he  has,  and  disapproves  it,  he  has  studied 
out  some  sly,  indirect  way  of  breaking  up  the  connection  without 
recourse  to  open  opposition,  which,  I  have  often  heard  him  say, 
made  ten  matches  where  it  broke  one." 

"  But  did  not  Major  Skene,  after  his  exchange  and  return,  or  his 
sisters,  inform  Colonel  Reed  of  their  suspicion,  most  probably  ? " 

"  They  would  have  done  so,  perhaps,  had  they  continued  as 
jealous  as  at  first,  but  since  my  engagement  with  Selden  we  have 
both  acted  in  concert  to  blind  them,  and  I  think  they  are  in  the 
dark  themselves." 

"And  how  have  you  disposed  of  the  Major,  in  the  mean 
while?" 

"I  laughed  him  out  of  countenance — jeered  and  joked  him 
about  his  valor  at  Skenesboro'  before  the  officers,  ridiculed  him 
in  every  way  I  could  devise,  till  at  last  the  fellow  became  so  sore 
under  the  torment,  that  he  fairly  avoided  me,  as  if  I  had  been  a 
viper,  and  that  is  the  way  I  advise  you  to  take  with  your  eternal 
hanger-on,  who,  like  the  Major,  was  never  man  enough  to  cease  his 
attentions  when  he  knew  they  were  not  agreeable.  But  where  is 
Sherwood  now  ?  " 

' '  We  don't  know.     He  has  been  absent  several  weeks.     He  told  ( 
us  he  was  going  to  Albany.     You   heard   nothing  of  him  there, 
did  you  ?  " 

' '  No  !  but  if  he  was  there,  he  would  hardly  show  himself  in 
public,  I  think.  Did  you  know  they  strongly  suspected  him  of 
being  a  tory  ?  " 

"  I  knew  not  that  he  was  suspected  by  others.  But  from  his 
standing  aloof  from  the  contest  when  our  bleeding  country 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    DOTS.  225 

required  the  aid  of  every  friend,  from  the  character  of  his  asso 
ciates,  and  among  the  rest  that  despicable  Darrow,  and  more 
especially  from  one  or  two  secret  journeys,  which  I  feel  satisfied 
he  has  lately  made  into  Canada,  I  have  for  some  time  known  that 
he  was  any  thing  but  an  American  patriot." 

By  this  time  our  fair  friends,  having  wandered  down  the  slope 
towards  the  lake,  had  reached  the  shore,  and  seated  themselves  on 
a  little  grassy  elevation  near  the  landing,  where  they  were  about  to 
resume  their  conversation,  when  a  skiff  containing  three  men, 
whose  approach  from  the  south  had  been  screened  from  their  sight 
by  intervening  bushes,  made  its  appearance,  and  put  in  for  the 
shore.  The  girls  instantly  arose,  and  were  hastily  retiring,  when 
they  were  hailed  by  the  leader  of  the  party,  after  he  had  risen  in 
his  boat,  and  looked  intently  a  moment  at  those  on  shore.  On 
turning  round,  Alma  at  once  recognized  him  to  be  the  tall  woods 
man,  with  whom  the  first  became  acquainted  as  the  messenger  of 
Warrington. 

11  If  you'll  agree  not  to  be  scart  much  at  such  a  beauty  as  I  be, 
gals,"  said  Pete,  leaping  ashore  and  striding  up  the  bank,  "I 
should  like  well  enough  to  have  one  of  you  stop  running  away 
long  enough  to  have  me  tell  you  what  one  of  you  wants,  that  is 
if  I  havn't  forgot  the  face  that  used  to  belong  to  her." 

Jones,  now  advancing  to  the  spot  from  which  the  girls,  with 
nesitating  steps,  were  slowly  retreating,  pulled  out  a  soiled  and 
crumpled  letter,  and  offered  it  to  Alma.  But  the  latter,  suppos 
ing  it  to  be  from  Warrington,  shook  her  head,  and  declined  re 
ceiving  it. 

"  Well,  now!  "  said  the  scout,  a  little  disconcerted  at  the  un 
expected  refusal:  "by  hoky!  if  this  an't  the  first  time  I  ever 
knsw  a  body  that  wouldn't  take  a  letter  that  belonged  to  e'm! 
Well,  I've  done  all  that  the  fellow,  who  asked  me  to  bring  it, 
could  expect  of  me,  I  consider." 

"From  whom  did  you  receive  the  letter,  sir  ?  "  asked  Jessy, 
who  easily  apprehended  the  reasons  of  her  friend  for  declining 
to  receive  it. 

"Well,  now,  inarm,"  replied  Jones,  scratching  his  head,  "that 
is  asking  a  notch  more  than  I  am  very  well  able  to  answer.  I 
partly  hinted  to  the  man  to  tell  me  his  name,  but  he  kinder 
screwed  round  in  his  talk  so  that  he  kept  clear  of  telling  me. 
Howsomever,  it  was  an  honest  looking  fellow  enough,  that  I 
fell  in  with  at  Skenesboro',  where  we  stopped  for  breakfast,  this 
.  mo min<j  " 


226  THE    GHEEX    MOUNTAIN   HOTS. 

"O,  it  is  not  from  any  in  the  army,  then,"  rejoined  Jessy, 
throwing  a  significant  look  at  her  companion,  intended  to  convey 
u  sly  joke  for  her  over  cautiousness. 

"Any  in  the  army?"  said  Jones,  repeating  the  words  of  the 
other,  as  he  began  to  assume  his  old  comic  twist  of  features,  "  no, 
unless  you  might  call  him  a  kettle  drummer;  for  now  I  think 
on't  when  we  first  came  into  the  house  where  we  found  him,  lie 
was  at  it  hammer  and  tongs  upon  an  old  brass  kettle,  making 
clatter  enough  to  crazy  a  small  nation." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Alma,  courteously,  UI 
was  under  a  misapprehension  in  regard  to  the  source  of  this  let 
ter — I  will  receive  it  now,  sir.  if  you  please;  and  thank  you 
kindly  for  your  trouble  in  bringing  it,"  she  added,  extending 
her  hand  and  taking  the  proffered  paper. 

"  Are  you  direct  from  Albany,  sir?  "  asked  Miss  Reed,  prepara 
tory  to  some  other  question,  apparently. 

"  We  started  from  their  about  twelve  last  night,  and  in  a  bit 
of  a  hurry,  too,"  replied  the  scout,  turning  and  looking  upon  the 
face  of  his  fair  interrogator,  whom  he  now  for  the  first  time 
seemed  to  recognize.  ' '  Why,  now,  if  I  aii't  beat,  to  find  that 
queer  fighting  bird  again — beg  pardon,  marm — I  didn't  mean  it 
for  offence ;  for  I  don't  calculate  to  be  very  sarcy  to  folks,  except 
to  the  Britishers.  And  I  kinder  guess  you  an't  very  stiff  for  that 
side  after  all,  or  you  wouldn't  allow  yourself  to  be  caught  by  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys  so  easy  and  often." 

It  was  Jessy's  turn  to  be  disconcerted  now,  and  blushing  to  the 
very  temples,  she  turned  confusedly  away,  and  pretended  to  be 
looking  for  wild  strawberries  in  the  grass,  while  Alma,  smiling 
to  see  the  discomfiture  of  her  friend  at  the  honest  but  sly  hit  in 
volved  in  the  remark  of  the  woodsman,  now  addressing  the  lat 
ter,  asked: 

"  Has  any  late  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  movements  been  re 
ceived  at  head  quarters,  that  has  caused  you  to  be  dispatched  in 
this  direction  so'hastily? " 

u  I  rather  expect  there  has,  marm." 

"  Any  threatened  invasion  ?  I  know  there  have  been  fears  of 
one,  from  Canada,  but  hearing  nothing  of  it  lately,  we  had  begun 
to  believe  it  a  false  rumor." 

After  looking  Alma  earnestly  in  the  face  an  instant,  Jones 
motioned  her  to  step  a  little  further  from  her  companion,  when 
in  a  low  tone  he  observed  to  her, 

"  You  used  to  be  true  blue — I  wonder  if  you  are  now  ? " 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  22? 

"If  you  mean  a  friend  to  your  cause,  who  can  be  trusted,  you 
may  count  me  as  one." 

"I  rather  thought  so — well,  we  fear  there  will  be  hot  work  in 
this  quarter  in  a  very  few  days  from  this.  A  British  deserter, 
who  was  taken  up  over  on  Winooski  River,  and  sent  on  by  Cap 
tain  Baker,  arrived  at  head  quarters  yesterday,  and  gave  us  the 
information  that  General  Burgoyne  with  an  army  of  ten  thousand 
men  had  already  reached  St.  John's  on  his  way  through  this  set 
tlement  to  Albany,  if  he  can  get  there.  Colonel  Warrington  and 
his  regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  were  to  march  this  morn 
ing  to  reinforce  St.  Clair  at  Ticonderoga.  And  General  Schuy- 
ler's  whole  army,  before  this,  are  on  the  move  for  Fort  Edward, 
as  the  place  where  the  grand  tussle  is  to  be  had,  if  the  enemy  are 
not  stopped  before.  I,  and  my  scouts  in  the  boat  there,  are  now 
on  our  way  to  reconnoiter,  and  watch  the  progress  of  the  Reglars 
as  they  come  on.  Now,  this  last  part  of  it  you  must  keep  dark 
about  to  all  where  there  is  the  least  chance  of  its  getting  into  tlie 
wind.  If  I  get  along  back  as  far  as  here,  I  will  try  to  call,  and 
let  you  and  the  folks  in  this  quarter  know  when  the  enemy  uia.y 
be  expected,  that  you  may  be  all  out  of  the  way  before  they  ar 
rive.  But  I  must  be  off;  for  we  must  row  ten  good  miles  furthei 
to-night,  before  we  encamp.  Good  nighty,  marm." 

Having  given  this  exciting  piece  of  information,  imparted 
with  more  seriousness  and  directness  of  manner,  than  any  thing 
of  equal  length  he  had  uttered,  perhaps,  for  years,  Jones  turned 
on  his  heel,  bounded  forward  to  the  shore,  and  leaped  into  the 
boat,  which  the  next  instant  shot  by  the  landing  and  disap 
peared. 

Knowing  that  the  scout's  secret  would  be  as  safe  with  her  com 
panion  as  with  herself,  Alma  immediately  called  her,  and  repeated 
the  startling  news  she  had  just  received.  And  the  solicitude  and 
trembling  apprehensions  which  filled  the  bosom  of  each,  as  they 
thought  of  their  respective  friends  in  connection  with  the  ap 
proaching  danger,  for  a  while  swallowed  up  every  other  feeling. 
Even  the  letter,  the  delivery  of  which  had  occasioned  the  call  of 
the  scouts,  was  forgotten,  till  the  girls  had  retraced  their  steps 
more  than  half  the  distance  to  the  house.  It  being  then  recalled, 
however,  Miss  Hendee  seated  herself  on  a  hillock,  opened  and 
began  reading  it,  with  an  air  of  listless  curiosity,  which  showed 
how  little  she  expected  to  be  interested  in  its  contents,  while 
Jessy  knelt  before  her  on  the  P^OSS.  watching  the  varying  expres 
sions,  from  simples,  told  any  thing  but  oi~g^uu:  rmsDandry  in  the 


228  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

deep  emotion,  which  successively  passed  over  the  countenance  of 
the  other  as  she  proceeded  in  the  perusal.  The  letter  was  with 
out  signature,  and  ran  thus: 

"Miss  Hendee,  I  guess,  will  remember,  how,  a  year  or  two 
ago,  a  mail  came  to  your  house  and  mended  the  things;  and 
how  he  made  some  statements  about  Charles  Warrington,  the 
Colonel  that  now  is.  Now,  what  I  said  at  that  time  has  worried 
my  feelings  a  great  deal  most  ever  since.  Though  I  then  really 
thought  what  I  said  was  justifiable,  even  it  was  not  quite  true,  as 
I  was  made  to  believe  it  to  be  for  your  good.  But  I  soon  after 
found  out  what  I  told  you  was  not  so,  for  I  didn't  know  myself, 
and  only  said  what  I  was  asked  to  say.  This  was  the  story  of  it. 
As  I  was  going  from  house  to  house,  working  at  my  trade  there  in 
your  part  of  the  settlement,  I  fell  in  with  a  plausible  sort  of  a  man, 
— I  don't  think  I  had  best  call  him  by  name, — and  we  after  a 
.while  got  to  talking  about  Warrington,  whom  I  had  seen  often 
enough,  though  I  knew  nothing  of  his  private  affairs.  Well,  he  in 
a  smooth  kind  of  way,  said  there  was  one  thing  that  hurt  his  feel 
ings;  and  that  was  that  Warrington  was  doing  the  wrong  tiling 
by  a  relative  of  his,  a  very  likely  girl,  that  he  pretended  to  be 
courting  for  the  sake  of  getting  her  family  on  his  side  in  the  York 
quarrel,  when  to  his  certain  knowledge,  he  had  a  young  wife  that 
he  had  deserted  down  country.  He  said  it  was  a  great  pity  to 
have  the  girl  so  deceived,  and  he  would  give  two  gold  guineas  to 
any  one  who  would  break  up  the  courtship.  But  he  said  it  would 
do  no  kinder  good  for  her  relations  to  try;  and  they  were  very 
anxious  some  one  else  should  undertake  to  do  it.  He  then  told 
me  his  plan  was>  that  he  and  I,  if  I  would  agree  to  do  it,  should 
first  kinder  secretly  tell  folks  this  story  about  the  deserted  wife, 
so  that  it  should  get  to  her,  and  make  her  begin  to  believe  it; 
and  then  I  should  go  there  and  pretend  to  come 'from  where 
Warrington  used  to  live,  and  let  drop  some  how,  before  the  girl, 
that  I  was  knowing  myself  to  that  business  about  his  being  mar 
ried.  Well,  he  kinder  drew  me  into  his  plan,  and  I  being  poor, 
consented  for  the  money  to  do  as  I  did.  But  I  soon  mistrusted 
£hat  this  man  had  some  wrong  design,  which  I  found  out  to  be  the 
case,  and  I  feel  very  sorry,  and  ask  pardon  for  what  happened; 
and  shall  feel  very  bad  if  I  done  any  mischief  by  it,  as  I  think 
Colonel  Warrington  a  very  likely  man.  I  think  I  shall  feel  easier 

but  l  XU-  you  ^  si£n  my  name' 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  229 

» 

though  I  am  not  ashamed  of  it,    or  at  least  I   never  was  in  any 
other  affair  since  I  was  born. 

Your  well  wisher  to  serve." 

The  first  feeling  that  pervaded  the  bosom  of  Miss  Hendee,  on 
reading  this  humble  epistle,  the  truth  and  genuineness  of  which 
she  found  it  impossible  to  doubt,  was  that  of  unmingled  indigna 
tion  at  the  base  and  detestible  conduct  of  the  man  who  had  insti 
gated  the  deception  that  had  been  practised  upon  her  with  sucli 
complete  success.  The  whole  of  that  transaction,  together  with 
all  the  dark  hints  and  warnings  she  had  previously  received  from 
her  acquaintance,  now  stood  explained  before  her.  She  found 
no  difficulty  in  tracing  all  to  the  same  source,  and  she  saw  at  once 
the  motives  which  had  actuated  the  subtle  author  of  this  piece  of 
refined  villainy  in  the  course  he  had  pursued.  Her  next  feeling 
was  that  of  deep  and  unfeigned  regret,  for  the  injustice  she  had 
unintentionally  done  one,  whom,  but  for  this  erroneous  belief,  she 
would  have  held,  of  all  on  earth,  the  most  dear  and  honored.  At 
last  came  the  heart's  rich  gushings  of  returning  love.  And  from 
the  overpowering  force  of  these  mingled  emotions,  she  sat  down 
and  wept  like  a  child. 


1  And  how  felt  he,  the  wretched  man 
Reclining  there— while  memory  ran 
O'er  many  a  year  of  guilt  and  strife, 
Flew  o'er  the  dark  flood  of  his  life, 
Nor  found  one  sunny  resting  place, 
Nor  brought  him  back  one  branch  of  grace." 


IN  the  environs  of  Albany,  at  the  period  of  which  we  are 
writing,  stood  an  ancient  looking  tenement,  originally  designed, 
as  its  general  appearance  indicated,  fora  common  farm  house; 
though  the  grounds  around  it  seemed  lately  to  have  been  left 
almost  wholly  uncultivated;  while  dilapidated  fences,  and  an 
unchecked  growth  of  rank  weeds  springing  up  every  where 
about  the  premises,  told  any  thing  but  of  good  husbandry  in  the 


230  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

occupant.  Indeed,  there  was  an  air  of  solitude  and  decay  about 
the  place,  which  might  reasonably  have  been  taken  by  all  as  an 
evidence  of  a  corresponding  decay  in  the  circumstances  of  the 
owner  but  for  the  fact,  known  to  many,  that  he  had  brought  large 
sums  of  money,  which  he  must  have  increased,  a^  he  had  ever 
lived  on  an  economical  scale,  and  husbanded  his  treasures  with 
the  most  miserly  care, — ever  speculating  upon  the  necessities 
of  others,  and  loaning  his  money  at  exhorbitant  usury.  Since 
the  commencement  of  the  unsettled  times  of  the  Revolution,  how 
ever,  he  had  been  busily  engaged  in  drawing  in  his  funds,  while 
he  began  to  talk  of  pretended  losses,  and  to  feign  the  appearance 
of  approaching  poverty,  by  suffering  his  farm  to  run  to  waste,  as 
if  through  inability  to  bestow  upon  it  a  proper  cultivation.  This 
was  attributed  by  many  to  actual  impoverishment;  but  those  who 
knew  more  of  his  affairs,  set  it  down  at  once  to  his  unwillingness 
to  trust  out  his  property  in  such  fluctuating  times,  and  his  fears 
of  being  compelled  to  loan  or  otherwise  part  with  it,  for  main 
taining  the  American  cause,  to  which,  it  was  suspected,  he  was 
not  over  friendly.  He  had  ever  been  a  man  of  few  friends,  and 
still  fewer  confidants.  And  for  the  last  year  or  two,  he  had  almost 
wholly  withdrawn  himself  from  society ;  while,  as  was  noticed  by 
those  who  occasionally  saw  him,  his  health  appeared  to  be  grada- 
ally  undermining,  and  his  countenance  wore  an  air  of  deep 
dejection,  arising,  it  was  surmised,  as  he  had  no  visible  grounds 
of  sorrow,  from  remorse  of  conscience,  or  other  mental  inqui 
etudes,  the  causes  of  which  he  had  never  divulged. 

To  this  cheerless  spot  we  would  now  invite  the  reader  for  the 
purpose  of  introducing  one  to  whom  allusion  has  been  several 
times  made,  the  father  of  Jacob  Sherwood.  The  unhappy  old 
man  had  been  for  several  weeks  rapidly  failing,  and  he  now  lay 
stretched  on  the  bed  of  sickness,  with  the  full  consciousness,  that 
the  end  of  his  earthly  career  was  fast  approaching;  while  a  retro 
spect  of  his  life  began  to  fill  his  mind  with  terror  and  alarm,  in 
view  of  the  retribution  which  his  guilt-striken  conscience  told 
him  was  at  hand.  Although,  by  the  constant  exercise  of  that 
peculiar  cunning  and  cautiousness,  which  were  leading  traits  in 
his  character,  he  had  always  contrived  to  steer  clear  of  the  penal- 
tics  of  the  law,  yet  there  had  been  certain  secret  passages  in  his 
life,  the  memory  of  which  now  turned  his  dying  bed  into  a  couch 
of  thorns,  and  drove  him  to  think  of  making  some  atonement  for 
the  injuries  he  had  inflicted  before  he  dare  go  to  his  final  ac 
count. 


'THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  231 

With  this,  among  other  views,  he  had.  the  week  previous,  sent 
a  special  messenger  for  his  son,  and  he  was  now  anxiously  look 
ing  for  his  arrival.  But  the  lingering  days  passed  on,  and  he 
came  not,  till  the  wretched  invalid,  warned  by  his  failing  strength, 
that  he  could  hold  out  but  a  few  days  longer,  dared  no  more 
delay  the  act  of  justice,  which  his  guilty  fears  had  urged  him  to 
perform,  to  those  who  had  been  the  victims  of  secret  villauies. 
But  let  us  now  enter  his  gloomy  abode,  and  proceed  to  his  bed 
side.  He  had  been  lying  about  an  hour  in  a  troubled  sleep, 
from  which  he  had  several  times  suddenly  started  up,  with  a  wild, 
apprehensive  glare,  and  a  few  incoherent  mutterings,  that  gradu 
ally  died  away  on  his  working  lips,  as  he  relapsed  into  his  uneasy 
slumbers.  He  now,  however,  became  thoroughly  awakened,  and 
turning  his  face  to  the  nurse  in  attendance,  a  wrinkled  old  crone, 
who,  with  an  ignorant,  clownish  looking  boy,  made  up  the  rest  of 
the  family  at  the  present  time,  he  eagerly  enquired  if  his  son  had 
arrived.  And  being  answered  in  the  negative,  he  sunk  back  on 
his  pillow  with  a  look  of  blended  woe  and  disappointment,  which 
told  the  utter  wretchedness  of  his  feelings. 

"  O,  when  will  he  come!  when  will  he  come!  "  at  length  mut 
tered  to  himself  the  hapless  old  man.  "I  shall  die  before  he 
arrives !  no,  no,  I  must  not  die,  I  cannot  die,  till  I  see  him — till 
he  promises.  But  if  he  should  not  come!  Or  if  he  come  and 
would  not  promise,  or  promising,  would  not  perform,  where  would 
be  the  reparation?  I  fear — I  fear  him,  with  so  much  interest  at 
stake!  Oh!  why  have  I  delayed  this  so  long!  Why  have  I 
carried  this  dreadful  weight  till  now  !  If  I  had  but  strength  to 
write  it !  —perhaps  I  have — I  will  try — I  will !  Nabby  !  " 
he  continued,  calling  to  the  deaf  old  woman,  "I  say,  Nabbyl 
bring  me  here  pen  and  paper." 

"Eh?  O,  ay!  "  replied  the  crone,  bringing  the  required  imple 
ments. 

"Now  bolster  me  up  on  the  bed,  and  lay  that  old  ledger  open 
on  the  bed-clothes  before  me.  There!  that  will  do." 

Having  been  a  ready  penman,  and  deriving  a  temporary 
strength  from  the  excitement  of  his  sudden  resolution,  the  invalid 
succeeded  in  writing  out  a  brief  statement,  or  confession,  of  the 
misdeeds  which  laid  heaviest  on  his  troubled  conscience. 

"There!  there!"  he  exclaimed  in  a  fort  of  unnatural  glee,  "it 
is  on  paper!  it  is  down — thank  God  it  is  down!  If  feel  easier 
now — relieved — some  of  the  poison  has  passed  from  my  heart 
to  the  paper;"  and  he  read  over,  and  continued  looking  some 


233  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

time  upon  the  lines  with  a  wild,  exulting  satisfaction,  muttering 
at  intervals,  "  yes,  thank  God,  it  is  down!  " 

He  then,  having  again  called  the  nurse,  and  directed  her  to 
seal  the  paper  securely,  superscribed  it  to  Captain  James  Hendee, 
giving  the  woman  strict  orders  to  give  it  to  his  son  when  he  ar 
rived,  or  to  some  other  person,  who  would  promise  to  deliver  it 
to  the  person  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  After  this,  ho  fell  back 
exhausted,  and  lay  some  time  in  silent  meditation. 

"Yes,  that  is  some  thing,"  he  said,  at  length,  resuming  his 
soliloquy :  "  but  will  it  bring  back  the  lost,  or  dead  ?  No!  Will 
it  restore  the  property  I  took  from  them  ?  No,  not  a  shilling 
without  a  suit,  and  then  Jake  will  find  some  way  to  defeat  it — 
and  then  the  letter  may  be  lost — he  may  mistrust  what  I  have 
written  and  destroy  it.  It  won't  do — I  must  make  a  will  and 
place  it  out  of  his  hands — I  must,  O,  I  must — and  I  will  do  it — 
I  will  do  it,  now.  Ezra !  Ezra !  "  he  continued,  speaking  with 
nervous  rapidity,  "  Nabby !  tell  Ezra  to  come  here  in  a  minute !  " 

The  ill-clothed,  and  more  ill-favored  boy  soon  made  his  ap 
pearance. 

"Ezra,  you  go  over  to  Esquire  Vanderpool's,  and  tell  him  I 
want  he  should  come  here  as  quick  as  possible — run !  run  !  " 

The  man,  who  was  thus  summoned,  and  who  was  an  attorney, 
whom  the  old  gentleman  had  some  times  employed,  and  con 
sulted,  on  account  of  the  prudence  and  secrecy  with  which  he 
conducted  all  matters  submitted  to  his  charge,  in  a  short  time 
entered  the  apartment,  and  quietly  seated  himself  by  the  bed 
side  of  the  sick  man.  The  old  nurse  was  then  ordered  to  leave 
the  room. 

"I  am  going  to  die,  Squire,"  said  the  old  man  feebly. 

"I  hope  not,"  replied  the  attorney,  casting  a  scrutinizing 
glance  at  the  pallid  face  of  the  other,  but  without  betraying  the 
least  emotion. 

"  I  know  best,  and  I  have  thoughts  of  making  a  will—can  you 
draw  one  that  will  hold  ?  " 

"None  of  niy  making  have  ever  yet  failed." 

u  So  I  suppose,  and  I  believe  you  honest,  and  to  have  a  mind 
of  your  own,  or  I  should  not  have  sent  for  you.  But  can  it  ail 
be  kept  secret  till  the  will  is  proved  in  court  ? " 

"  Who  is  to  be  executor  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  thinking  of  that.  So  much  money  is  a  great 
trust,  but  if  you  are  not  honest,  who  is  ?  I  must  have  you." 

"  All  can  be  managed,  then." 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  233 

"Yes,  but  will  it  be  done?  will  you  promise?  I  have  rea- 
Bons — you  know  Jacob — will  you  not  let  him  buy  you  up  ?  " 

"Never!" 

"Write  me  a  will  then;  and  be  quick,— quick — bequeathing  a 
thousand  pounds  to  Captain  James  Hendee  of  the  New  Hamp 
shire  Grants,  and  all  he  now  owes  me — another  thousand  to  his 
daughter.  That  will  make  them  good  for  what  I — 

"  That  is  right!  make  a  clean  breast  of  it,  Mr.  Sherwood,"  ob 
served  the  attorney,  encouragingly. 

"I  will — God  forgive  me  for  taking  that  amount  from  the 
property  left  with  me  to  manage.  Put  it  down  in  the  will 
'reparation.'" 

"  I  will.     But  the  rest  of  the  property?  " 

"  All  to  my  son — write  on — be  quick." 

The  attorney,  with  an  acquiesing  nod,  proceeded  diligently 
with  his  task,  while  the  restless  invalid  again  muttered  to  him 
self: 

' '  It  will  be  an  inducement  for  Jake  to  marry  the  girl,  which  I 
fear  he  means  to  avoid.  But  he  probably  will  do  it  now,  and 
then  nothing  will  be  lost  by  this ;  and  if  he  don't,  why,  he  has 
enough  without  it.  Yes,  this  will  do.  I  shall  feel  better — bet 
ter." 

The  will  was  very  soon  completed,  witnesses  were  called,  all 
the  requisite  formalities  passed  through ;  when,  after  receiving 
from  the  testator  many  additional  injunctions,  the  attorney  de 
parted  with  the  important  instrument  in  his  pocket. 

As  soon  as  this  business,  for  which  the  sick  man  had  sum 
moned  all  his  failing  energies,  was  accomplished,  he  again  be 
came  as  helpless  as  an  infant,  and  lay  several  hours  in  a  state  of 
exhaustion  and  stupor.  At  length  his  malady  began  to  assume  a 
different  and  more  threatening  aspect.  The  pains  of  approach 
ing  dissolution  set  in,  attended  with  mental  anguish,  even  more 
fearful  in  appearance  than  his  bodily  agony;  and  to  the  wretched 
old  man  a  night  of  horrors  succeeded.  While  his  limbs  were 
writhing  with  pain,  and  he  seemed  to  be  grappling  in  bodily 
effort  with  the  king  of  terrors,  the  most  fearful  images  appeared 
to  rise  continually  before  his  distracted  mind,  to  complete  the 
horrors  of  his  situation.  At  one  time  he  seemed  to  be  contending 
with  desperate  fierceness  against  troops  of  fiends,  that  stood  pal 
pably  before  him,  reaching  out  their  long,  skinless  claws  to  drag 
him  from  his  bed,  while,  "keep  them  off!  O,  keep  them  off," 
would  burst  in  the  accents  of  despair  from  his  lips.  At  another 


234  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOYS. 

time,  the  images  of  those  he  had  injured  appeared  to  rise  upon 
his  troubled  fancy,  and  stand  before  him,  giving,  even  by  their 
quiet  presence,  unspeakable  tortures  to  his  feelings. 

"Leave  me,  Brother  Hendee,  O,  leave  me!  "he  would  pite- 
ously  exclaim,  waving  his  hand  for  the  other,  whom  he  fancied 
to  be  standing  by  his  bed-side,  to  depart.  "Away!  away!  I 
can  not  look  on  you.  You  forgive  me  ?  what  is  that  to  me,  so 
long  as  as  that  great  burning  eye  is  looking  down  so  fiercely  upon 
me?  O!  don't  smile  upon  me!  don't,  Brother  Hendee!  It 
stings— it  kills  me!  There!  that  is  right— kind.  He  is  gone 
now.  But  what  is  that  coming  ?  O !  what  is  that  ? "  he  con 
tinued,  starting  up  with  a  look  replete  with  horror  and  distress : 
1 '  see,  how  he  reaches  out  his  little  hands  as  they  carry  him  off 
into  the  woods,  crying,  uncle,  save  me,  uncle,  from  the  Indians ! 
It  is  a  lie!  I  say  I  am  not  your  uncle!  You  are  an  imp! — a 
fiend,  come  to  torment  me!  There!  I  told  you  so— I  -knew 
it — see !  see,  there !  he  is  sending  that  troop  of  devils  to  drag 
me  down  into  that  dreadful  black  gulf!  O!  God!  they  have 
seized  me!  I  wont,  I  wont  go!  help!  murder!  0!  help! 
help !  "  and  with  the  expiring  efforts  of  his  delirious  energies,  he 
rose  up  in  his  bed,  and  throwing  his  arms  wildly  above  him,  and 
uttering  a  fearful  screech,  he  fell  down  on  his  face,  and  the  next 
moment  was  a  livid  corpse! 

Such  was  the  fearful  end  of  John  Sherwood,  who,  with  no  peni 
tence  that  could  be  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  Heaven,  thus  thought 
to  compound  with  his  conscience,  and  atone  for  his  misdeeds  by 
offering  up  a  portion  of  that  wealth  which  he  had  made  the 
only  idol  of  his  worship  through  life — a  life  marked,  indeed,  with 
many  acts  of  specious  kindness,  performed  towards  those  he  had 
wronged,  but  always  performed  on  the  principle  we  have  men 
tioned,  or  to  veil  the  secret  injuries  he  had  inflicted,  from  the  eyes 
of  his  victims,  and  blind  the  public  to  his  true  character. 

On  the  second  day  after  the  event  just  described,  and  but  a 
few  hours  before  the  time  appointed  for  the  funeral  ceremonies, 
Jacob  Sherwood  rode  into  the  yard,  and  without  any  previous 
intimation  of  his  father's  deatlu  entered  the  house. 

"  How  is  the  old  gentleman,  Nabby  ?  "  he  asked,  approaching 
and  putting  his  mouth  close  to  the  ear  of  the  deaf  old  domestic. 

"  Eh  ?  O, — why,  don't  ye  know  ?  Han't  they  told  you  how  he 
is  dead  ? " 

"No!  shocking!— Why,  when  did  he  die  ?  " 

"  Yester  night — jest  fore  day.     Desput  sick,   the  old  gentle- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  235 

man  was  that  night.  And  he  was  in  a  terrible  taking  to  see  you 
Mister  Jacob,  fore  he  died." 

' '  What  did  he  wish  to  see  me  for  in  particular,  do  you 
know  ?  " 

"  No — not  sartainly.  But  he  was  under  some  consarn  of  mind, 
I  reckon.  It  was  malagantly  to  hear  him  take  on,  and  see  him 
act.  O,  'twas  dreadful  times  with  us  that  night:  I,  and  Ezra  sot 
up.  I  hope  the  old  gentleman  never  did  any  thing  that  was 
wrong." 

"Ezra,  what  did  he  say  ?  "  asked  Sherwood,  eagerly  turning 
to  the  boy,  who  was  present. 

"  O,  he  talked  drefful  bad  and  scary  bout  somfing  carrying  him 
off.  Tse  mortal  feared,  and  went  behind  the  door." 

"  Nabby — say  Nabby !  "  said  the  former,  again  addressing  the 
old  woman,  "who  has  been  here  since  father  was  taken  sick  be 
sides  the  doctor  ?" 

"Doctor!  he  wouldn't  have  no  doctor — he  took  his  own 
physics." 

"  Who,  then,  has  been  here  ?  " 

"  Why,  none  but  old  Mrs.  Chandler,  to  tell  me  about  fixing  his 
gruel  and  things,  except  the  folks  that  came  to  lay  him  out,  and 
Squire  Vanderpool,  the  day  fore  he  died,  and*then  the  next  morn 
ing,  to  carry  off  the  papers  and  chests." 

"Vanderpool!  papers  and  chests!  what  can  all  that  mean?" 
said  Sherwood,  in  an  undertone,  and  with  an  air  of  concern. 
"But,  say,  old  woman,  what  did  Squire  Vanderpool  and  father 
do  when  they  were  together  ?  " 

"Don't  know  nothing  no  way  about  it;  cause  they  sent  me  out 
—may  be  about  some  writing.  La!  now,  I  forgot  the  letter," 
added  the  woman,  jumping  up  and  bringing  the  letter  the 
deceased  had  entrusted  to  her  charge:  "there  he  told  me  to 
make  you  promise  to  give  this  to  Captain  Hendee." 

"Certainly — I  promise,"  said  Sherwood,  seizing  the  letter  and 
putting  it  in  his  pocket. 

After  a  few  more  enquiries,  Sherwood  retired  to  another  room, 
when,  taking  out  the  letter  and  carefully  breaking  it  open,  so  that 
it  might  be  re-sealed,  if  he  saw  fit  to  suffer  it  to  go  to  its  destina 
tion,  he  proceeded  to  read  it;  after  which  he  rose,  took  out  a 
pocket  pistol,  drew  the  charge,  went  to  the  fire  place,  and  flashed 
the  priming  against  the  letter,  which  he  held  between  his  thumb 
and  finger  till  it  was  entirely  consumed. 

"  Well,"  said  he  to  himself,  as  lie  replaced  his  pistol,  that  piece 


231  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

of  evidence  is  at  rest,  I  think,  and  if  all  other  matters  can  be 
managed  as  easily,  all  will  be  well.  But  it  is  very  evident  that 
the  old  man  has  been  making  a  will :  and  Vanderpool,  who  must 
be  executor,  I  imagine,  by  his  presuming  to  carry  off  the  papers 
and  money,  is  a  hard  customer  to  manage  I  confess;  though  it 
must  be  done  by  some  means  or  other, — that  is  if  the  old  man's 
weakness  and  silly  fears  have  led  him  to  make  any  serious  inroad 
on  my  prospects.  And  who  knows  how  far  he  may  have  gone — 
devil!  if  he  has  been  willing  away  my  property!  But  that  he 
could  not  do.  He  could  only  dispose  of  his  own,  the  lesser  half 
I  think  it  must  be.  Well,  that  is  mine,  too ;  and  I  won't  go  it. 
So,  if  he  has  been  willing  it  away,  curse  me,  if  I  don't  find  a 
way  to  suppress  or  break  the  will.  Let's  see, — Vanderpool  is 
rather  poor.  That  is  lucky;  for  a  cool  hundred  is  something  of 
a  tempter.  But  if  that  fails  then  here  are  the  deaf  old  haddock 
of  a  woman  and  the  doltish  boy,  ready  with  their  humbug  stories 
to  swear  the  old  man  insane  at  the  time.  Good !  I'll  make  it 
traverse  somehow.  But  the  first  thing  is  to  see  Vanderpool; 
and  I  may  as  well  do  it  now.  No,  I  forgot, — the  time  of  the 
funeral  is  at  hand,  and  I  must  be  rigging  up,  and  putting  on  a 
sorrowful  face — sorrowful !  as  if  it  was  a  matter  of  special  grief 
to  come  into  possession  of  a  clear  ten  thousand !  " 

Thus  soliloquizing,  and  settling  his  plans  for  repairing  the  rent 
which  he  feared  his  father  had  made  in  his  fortunes,  the  heartless 
heir  dressed  himself,  and  joined  the  domestics  and  others,  who 
had  now  come  in  to  assist  in  making  arrangements  for  the 
approaching  obsequies.  These  being  made,  and  the  hour  appoint 
ed  for  the  funeral,  now  arriving,  the  ceremonies  were  performed 
by  a  small  train  of  the  nearest  neighbors,  including  his  executor, 
and  one  or  two  other  individuals  from  the  city,  who  had  sustained 
some  connection  with  the  deceased  in  business  transactions. 
Though  the  demeanor  of  all  present  was  marked  with  the  decency 
and  sobriety  natural  on  the  occasion,  yet  none  of  that  emotion, 
which  the  ties  of  heartfelt  friendship,  severed  by  death,  usually 
produces  at  such  times,  was  visible  among  the  company.  Not  a 
sigh  was  heard,  not  a  tear  was  seen  to  bedew  a  single  cheek,  as 
they  followed  the  old  man,  who  had  never  exhibited  any  feelings 
in  common  with  them,  unwept  and  unhonored,  to  his  long  home. 

That  evetiing,  and  as  early  as  he  thought  decency  would  per 
mit,  after  his  father's  remains  were  consigned  to  the  earth,  Sher 
wood  repaired  to  Vanderpool's  office.  And,  after  what  he  deemed 


THE  ~~ GREEN    MOUNTAIN    B$YS:  237 

would  be  considered  some  suitable  observations  upon  his  recent 
bereavement,  he  carelessly  remarked: 

"  My  father  made  a  will  in  his  last  sickness,  I  understand." 

"  Well,  the  old  gentleman  undoubtedly,  had  property  to  dis 
pose  of,  I  think,"  replied  the  attorney,  evasively. 

11  You  drew  it,  I  am  told,"  observed  the  other,  cautiously  ap 
proaching  the  point  at  which  he  was  aiming. 

"  Drafting  instruments  of  that  kind  is  part  of  my  trade,  you 
are  aware,"  remarked  Yanderpool,  still  evading  any  direct  answer 
to  the  question  implied  by  the  other's  observation." 

"  You  will  not  deem  it  improper,  I  presume,"  said  Sherwood, 
"for  me  to  enquire  what  are  the  provisions  of  the  instrument, 
since  I  am  the  person  most  interested? " 

"Why,  sir,"  cooly  remarked  Vanderpool,  "whether  you  are 
the  most  interested,  I  should  think  must  depend  entirely 
upon  the  will,  whose  provisions  you  seek  to  know.  And  as 
regards  the  propriety  of  your  making  enquiries  respecting  those 
provisions,  I  am  not  aware  of  any  impropriety  in  your  asking, 
but  whether,  in  the  case  you  assume,  it  would  be  proper  for  me 
to  answer,  for  the  present,  would  depend  solely  on  the  conditions 
imposed  on  me,  and  the  instructions  I  have  received." 

"O.  certainly,  certainly,  Mr.  Yanderpool,"  rejoined  the  other 
obsequiously,  though  he  was  evidently  not  a  littled  startled  at  the 
ominous  import  of  some  of  the  attorney's  remarks;  "but  what 
possible  motive  could  my  father  have  for  enjoining  secrecy  in  such 
a  case?" 

"  Why,  that,  Mr.  Sherwood,  is  undoubtedly  a  question  that  the 
interrogator  is  no  less  competent  of  answering  than  the  interroga- 
tee,"  replied  the  imperturbable  attorney. 

"Why,  surely,  Mr.  Vanderpool,"  said  the  baffled  heir  in  atone 
of  expostulation,  "  you  do  not  think  I  wish  you  to  do  any  thing 
wrong,  I  trust.  But  if  the  will  be  a  just  one,  there  can  be  no 
good  reason  for  keeping  its  provisions  a  secret  the  short  time 
that  intervenes  before  it  must  be  openly  proved;  and  on  the 
other  hand,  if  it  be  an  unjust  one,  a  delay  can  be  of  no  benefit  to 
the  legatees  of  a  will  which  can  be  so  easily  broken." 

"Broken!  how  ?" 

"Why,  I  suppose  you  must  be  aware,  sir,  that  my  father  was 
not  in  his  right  mind  when  he  executed  this  pretended  will,  as 
can  be  proved  by  the  family." 

Being  a  little  nettled  at  the  imputation  involved  in  the  last  re 
mark,  that  he  had  assisted  in  the  making  of  a  will  when  he  knew 


238  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  SOYS. 

the  testator  to  be  incompetent,    the   conscientious   attorney  with 
considerable  spirit  replied: 

"Whose  testimony,  think  you,  sir,  would  weigh  the  most  in 
such  case,  two  good,  honest,  intelligent  witnesses  (to  say  nothing 
of  myself),  who  were  were  present  and  heard  the  testator  con 
verse,  or  a  stupid  old  woman,  so  deaf  as  not  to  hear  one  word  in 
ten  of  an  ordinary  conversation,  and  a  more  stupid  boy,  who  was 
rarely  in  his  presence?  " 

"  O,  I  am  no  lawyer,  sir,"  rejoined  Sherwood,  with  affected 
complaisance:  "that  must  be  left  to  gentlemen  of  your  profession  { 
to  decide.  I  merely  repeated  what  was  told  me.  And  the  only 
motive  I  have  in  making  these  enquiries  is,  to  obtain  such  knowl 
edge  of  the  will  as  shall  enable  me  to  make  my  arrangements  for 
the  future;  since  I  am  compelled  to  return  immediately  to  my 
post  in  the  Grants.  And  now,"  he  continued,  cautiously  veering 
round  on  another  track,  "  I  really  don't  see  how  I  can  go  without 
knowing  some  thing  about,  the  disposition  of  this  property.  It  is 
a  going  to  be  such  a  disadvantage  to  me  !  Why,  I  would  not 
begrudge  a  hundred  pounds.  Indeed,  in  my  peculiar  situation  at 
this  time,  it  might  make  more  than  that  difference  in  my  circum 
stances—  " 

"Ah!  indeed  ?  "  observed  Vanderpool,  beginning  to  suspect  the 
drift  of  the  other,  but  wishing  to  see  how  far  he  would  venture  to 
go,  if  encouraged  a  little. 

"  Yes,  that  is  really  the  case,  Squire,"  said  Sherwood,  thinking 
he  had  now  hit  upon  a  right  course;  "and  if  there  are  some 
nice  rules  among  your  profession  to  prevent  your  showing  this  will 
yourself  in  obedience  to  such  very  singular  instructions,  why,  that 
can  be  easily  got  along  with.  The  will  can  be  left,  for  instance, 
on  yonder  shelf,  or  some  where,  so  that  should  I  come  in  to-morrow 
to  write  a  letter,  or  the  like,  it  might  "be  glanced  at,  and  still  no 
blame  could  fall  on  you — even  if  the  instrument  should  be  after 
wards  missing.  All  would  come  right  between  you  and  I,  Squire, 
depend  upon  it.  Now,  I  should  suppose,  that  one  live  client, 
with  my  means,  and  with  my  friendship,  would  be  worth  a  dozen 
dead  ones,  shouldn't  you,  Squire  ?  " 

"  Why,  that  might  depend,"  gravely  replied  the  attorney,  will 
ing  to  alarm  the  other  by  way  of  punishing  him  for  his  insulting 
proposals,  "that  would  depend,  I  should  think,  somewhat  on  the 
question  whether  the  live  client  had  means  enough  left  him  by  the 
dead  one  to  make  good  his  promises," 


"  THE    GREEN   MOVXTAIN    130 Y8.  239 

"W4iat  mean  you,  sir  ?"  hastily  asked  Sherwood,  turning  pale 
at  the  intimation. 

"O,  I  am  merely  making  suppositions  by  way  of  answering 
your  enquiries — you  must  put  your  own  constructions  upon  them," 
replied  Yanderpool,  with  a  look  so  equivocal  as  still  to  leave  the 
would  be  tempter  in  doubt  how  to  proceed. 

"Well,  sir,"  said  Sherwood,  after  a  hesitating  pause,  "what  am 
I  to  understand  you  are  willing  to  do  in  this  business  ?  Really  a 
hard  case  for  me,  Squire — what  do  you  say  upon  the  whole  ?  " 

"Upon  the  whole,  then,"  replied  the  indignant  attorney,  look 
ing  the  other  sternly  in  the  face,  u  I  say,  sir,  that  it  does  not  follow 
that  I  am  a  villain  and  unworthy  the  trust  reposed  on  me,  because 
others  may  think  they  can  make  me  so.  I  am  sole  executor  on 
your  father's  estate  ; — the  real  estate,  which  is  but  a  small  portion 
of  the  property,  you  can  take  possession  of  as  soon  as  you  please, 
as  to  the  rest,  I  shall  take  and  keep  charge  of  it  for  the  present.  I 
know  my  duty,  both  towards  you,  and  others  concerned,  and  you 
may  depend  I  shall  do  it.  My  supper  waits.  Good  evening, 
sir." 

So  raying,  and  taking  his  hat,  the  independent  and  incor 
ruptible  attorney  turned  his  back  on  the  other,  and  immediately 
left  the  office. 

Vexed  and  discomfited  at  the  failure  of  his  attempt,  and 
alarmed  at  the  startling  intimations  which  had  fallen  from  Van- 
derpool,  Sherwood  turned  his  steps  homeward.  Eeasoning  from 
his  own  principles  and  feelings,  he  supposed  that  the  attorney 
would  never  have  withstood  the  different  temptations  which  had 
thus  been  placed  before  him,  unless  he  knew  that  the  property  was 
about  to  pass  into  the  hands  of  others,  whom  it  was  now  more  hia 
interest  to  serve.  And  joining  his  argument,  unanswerable  to  one 
who  could  scarcely  conceive  of  actions  not  prompted  by  interested 
and  selfish  motives,  with  the  contemptuous  bearing  of  the  attorney, 
and  the  intimations  he  had  dropped,  the  partially  deceived, 
though  justly  punished  heir  arrived  at  the  maddening  conclusion, 
that  his  father  must  have  bequeathed  the  greatest  portion  of  his 
property  to  others  ;  and  in  all  probability  to  the  Hendee  family, 
to  whom,  besides  being  his  only  near  relatives  now  left,  his  peni 
tent  and  remorseful  feelings  would  naturally  direct  his  mind. 
And  in  addition  to  this,  he  was  not  without  strong  apprehensions, 
that  his  father  had  imparted  to  Vanderpool  the  secret  which  was 
contained  in  the  letter  directed  to  Captain  Hendee,  and  which,  in 
case  the  son  of  the  latter  was  alive,  would  greatly  multiply  the 


240  THE    GREEN   MO  UN  SAW   BOYS. 

chances  of  loosing  the  other  part  of  the  property,  also.  And  no 
sooner  had  he  become  confirmed  in  these  conclusions,  than  he 
made  up  his  mind  in  regard  to  the  only  alternative  which  he  be 
lieved  was  now  left  him  for  securing  the  property.  Accordingly, 
ofter  making  a  few  brief  arrangements  with  a  neighbor  for  man- 
aging  the  farm,  he  started  that  very  night,  and  proceeded  with  all 
possible  expedition  to  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  where  we 
endeavor  to  meet  him  in  another  chapter. 


CHAPTER 


1  Oh  I  what  a  tangled  web  we  weave, 
When  first  we  practice  to  deceive." 


AFTEK  a  rapid  journey  by  land,  Sherwood  arrived  at  his  house 
in  the  Grants,  inauspiciously  for  his  present  object,  on  the  very 
evening  on  which  his  base  and  execrable  manoeuvres  to  cause 
the  dismissal  of  Warrington  had  been  discovered  by  Miss  Hen- 
dee,  in  the  manner  we  have  described.  And  deeply  intent  on 
carrying  into  execution  his  project  of  a  union  with  her,  whom 
he  supposed  to  be  still  the  dupe  of  his  machinations,  believing 
this  now  to  be  his  only  resource  for  securing  the  property,  and 
being  determined  to  accomplish  it,  if  possible,  before  the  pro 
visions  of  his  father's  will  should  be  made  known,  to  lessen 
his  chances  of  success,  he,  early  the  next  morning,  repaired  to 
her  residence,  for  the  purpose  cf  urging  an  immediate  fulfil 
ment  of  the  engagement,  which  he  now  chose  to  claim  as  hav 
ing  for  several  years  existed  between  them.  And  from  the  well 
known  wishes  of  the  father,  on  whom  he  counted  for  a  strong 
ally,  and  the  late  acquiescent  manner  of  the  daughter,  he  had 
the  fullest  confidence  that  he  should  be  able  to  bring  about 
his  object  with  very  little  difficulty  or  delay.  When  he  arrived, 
however,  he  soon  saw  indications  which  considerably  lowered 
the  tone  of  his  assurance.  In  the  first  place,  he  was  not  at  all 
pleased  to  find,  as  he  unexpectedly  did,  that  Miss  Reed  had 
taken  up  her  residence  in  the  family,  believing  that  she,  from 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  241 

the  connection  which  he  suspected  she  sustained  with  Selden, 
the  friend  of  Warrington,  would  naturally  exercise  her  influence 
against  one  of  whom,  she  had  doubtless  received  unfavorable 
impressions.  And  in  addition  to  this,  his  quick  eye  detected  a 
change  in  the  manner  of  Alma  herself  towards  him,  which  he 
fancied  had  reterence  to  the  subject  of  his  present  anxiety.  And 
even  in  the  demeanor  of  the  father,  he  thought  he  perceived  a 
vyant  of  cordiality,  which  never  before  marked  his  receptions. 
But  notwithstanding  all  these  discouraging  appearances,  he 
determined  on  persevering  in  his  original  purpose.  And,  care 
fully  abstaining  from  all  mention  of  his  father's  death,  he  early 
sought  a  private  interview  with  Miss  Hendee,  who,  with  a  sort 
of  business-like  promptitude,  and  with  the  air  of  one  who  is  fully 
prepared  for  an  eclaircissement,  immediately  assented  to  his 
proposal. 

"  Mr.  Sherwood  has  something  particular  to  offer,  I  conclude? " 
enquiringly  said  Alma,  with  a  most  freezing  dignity  of  manner, 
as  soon  as  they  were  seated  in  a  room  by  themselves. 

' '  Why,  you  know,  Alma,  my  attentions  to  you  have  ever  been 
particular,"  replied  Sherwood,  with  what  he  intended  for  an  en 
dearing  smile. 

"Enough  so,  certainly,"  was  the  equivocal  response. 

"Well,  I  am  happy,"  rejoined  the  other,  purposely  construing 
the  remark  in  his  own  favor,  "that  you  acquit  me  of  any  neglect 
in  my  attentions  to  one  who  is  so  worthy  of  them,  and  one  in 
whom  I  have  ever  felt  so  deep  an  ifrterest." 

"You  have  manifested  but  little  lack  of  interest  in  me,  or  my 
concerns,  I  am  free  to  acknowledge,  sir,"  remarked  Alma,  in  the 
same  equivocal  manner. 

"I  hope  I  am  not  doubted  in  this  respect,"  said  Sherwood, 
with  the  air  of  an  arraigned  school  boy,  attempting  to  put  an 
immaterial  issue,  in  order  to  escape,  or  delay  a  blow,  which  he 
sees  the  disposer  of  his  fate  is  preparing  to  give  him. 

"  O,  not  in  the  least,  sir,"  replied  Alma,  in  a  tone  and  manner 
still  more  ironical  and  significant  than  before ;  "for  I  have  lately 
received  a  sufficient  proof  of  the  interest  you  have  taken  in  my 
affairs,  in  the  confessions  of  a  certain  tinker,  whom  you  may 
recollect  having  consulted  on  tha  subject,  on  a  former  occa 
sion  ?  " 

'<  Why— now— really !"  stammered  Sherwood,  utterly  discon 
certed  at  this  cutting  allusion  to  a  transaction  which  he  supposed 
was  known  only  to  himself  and  the  immediate  actor  in  the  affair: 


242  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"  really,  Miss  Hendee,  I  have  not  the  happiness  of  understanding 
your  meaning." 

11  Would  further  disclosures  be  likely  to  increase  your  hap 
piness  in  that  respect,  sir  ?"  asked  Altna,  coolly. 

"I  did  not  seek  this  interview,  Miss  Hendee,  rejoined  the 
other,  now  recovering  his  assurance,  ' '  to  listen  to  a  recital  of  all 
the  slanders  that  may  have  happened  to  reach  your  ears;  but  I 
sought  it  on  more  important  business." 

"I  will  not  hear  your  propositions,  sir,"  said  she,  without 
deigning  any  further  reply. 

"Why,  surely,  Alma,"  observed  Sherwood,  in  an  expostulating 
tone,  "I  know  not  how  I  have  had  the  misfortune  to  offend  you, 
as  from  your  manner,  I  fear  I  have.  I  had  fondly  anticipated  a 
different  reception.  I  had  at  last  arranged  my  business,  so  that 
I  felt  myself,  for  the  first  time  since  our  intimacy,  at  liberty  to 
settle  down  in  life;  and,  accordingly,  I  came  to  propose  a  con 
summation  of  the  engagement,  which  has  been  so  long  settled 
between  us." 

"  I  wonder,  sir,"  said  Alma,  "you  had  not  first  made  known 
your  intentions  to  my  father,  with  whom  the  engagement  you 
claim  to  exist,  was  made,  I  believe.  Perhaps  you  might  meet 
with  better  success  in  that  quarter." 

"You  seemed  disposed  to  trifle  with  my  feelings,  Miss  Hendee," 
rejoined  Sherwood,  growing  restless.  "I  wish  for  a  direct 
answer,  whether  you  will,  or  will  not,  fulfil  your  engagement 
with  me."  4 

"  A  direct  answer,  sir,  then  you  shall  have;  and  I  will  add,  I 
feel  not  a  little  grateful  for  being,  for  the  first  time  since  my  ac 
quaintance  with  you,  allowed  the  opportunity  of  giving  one, 
Mr.  Sherwood,  I  shall  never  voluntarily  unite  my  destinies  with 
yours." 

"  Surely  your  would  not  a  break  a  solemn  engagement  ?" 

"A  passive  acquiescence — a  tacit  consent,  wrung  from  rne  by 
the  force  of  circumstances,  is,  as  you  well  know,  sir,  all  the 
engagement  that  you  can  claim  of  me.  And  even  that,  your 
conscience  must  tell  you,  you  have  long  since  forfeited  by  your 
own  conduct." 

"Are  you  prepared,  Miss,  for  the  consequences  which  may 
follow  the  step  you  seem  determined  on  taking  ? " 

"You  do  well,  sir,  I  acknowledge,  to  remind  me  of  that  consid 
eration,"  bitterly  retorted  the  indignant  maiden;  "  for  I  am  aware 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  248 

that  it  is  no  light  matter  to  brave  the  revenge  of  one  who  could 
instigate  the  assassination  of  a  supposed  rival." 

Sherwood  started  as  if  stung  by  an  adder,  at  the  damning  truth 
of  the  allusion.  His  face  became  fairly  livid  with  suppressed 
rage  and  chagrin,  and  biting  his  bloodless  lips,  he  rose  and  slunk 
out  of  the  apartment,  as  would  a  demon  from  the  presence  of 
some  pure  being  from  the  skies,  without  uttering  one  word  in  his 
own  defence,  or  even  lifting  his  eyes  to  the  withering  counte 
nance,  which  was  bent  upon  him,  with  a  look  of  mingled  pity, 
abhorrence,  and  contempt.  Leaving  the  house,  the  discornfitted 
villain  immediately  sought  Captain  Hendee  in  an  adjoining  field, 
for  the  purpose  of  instigating  the  old  gentleman  to  measures  of 
compulsion  upon  the  refractory  daughter,  in  furtherance  of  his 
designs.  But  here,  also,  he  was  unexpectedly  doomed  to  disap 
pointment  and  defeat.  Upon  Alma's  return  to  the  house,  after 
the  receipt  of  the  communication  exposing  the  baseness  of  Sher 
wood,  she  had  sought  an  interview  with  her  father,  read  him  the 
letter,  frankly  confessed  her  own  feelings,  and  disclosed  all  she 
knew,  not  only  of  the  course  and  conduct  of  Sherwood,  but  also 
that  of  Warrington,  for  a  part  of  which  she  was  indebted  to  her 
fair  companion,  who  in  turn  received  it  from  her  lover,  Selden, 
the  intimate  of  Warrington.  And  among  the  rest,  she  had  made 
known  to  the  astonished  father  the  magnanimous  conduct  of  the 
latter  in  regard  to  his  ownership  of  the  land  on  which  they  resided, 
the  circumstances  of  which  she  herself  had  never  been  apprised 
of  till  that  very  evening.  And  although  the  old  gentleman  had 
listened  to  her  disclosures  without  uttering  a  single  word  in  reply, 
from  which  she  could  learn  his  opinions  on  the  subject,  her  com 
munications,  nevertheless,  had  produced  a  deep  impress!  on  on  his 
mind  and  feelings,  that  were  now  fluctuating  back  and  forth,  like 
contending  currents  of  wind,  when  but  a  slight  impulse  is  required 
to  turn  them  back  in  fury  in  a  direction  exactly  the  reverse  from 
that  in  which  they  commenced  blowing. 

"I  little  expected,  Captain  Hendee,"  said  Sherwood,  with  the 
air  of  an  injured  man,  as  he  approached  the  other,  "I  little  ex 
pected,  sir,  when  I  arrived  here  to  have  met  with  the  reception 
which  I  have  just  received  from  your  daughter." 

"Why,  what's  the  matter,  sir,—  what's  the  matter  ?"  replied 
the  Captain,  with  an  air  of  indifference. 

"The  matter,  sir  ?  why.  your  daughter  refuses  to  fulfill  her  en 
gagement  to  me,  sir." 

"  Ah !  what  reasons  did  she  give  for  that,  sir  ?  " 


244  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

"  No  good  reasons,  mi.  She  has  been  listening  to  the  tales  of 
slanderers — some  enemy  has  been  prejudicing  her  mind  against 
me,  by  falsehoods- -utter  falsehoods,  sir!  " 

"  Or  has  she  not  heard,  rather  more  truth  about  your  manoeuvres 
than  you  intended  should  have  reached  her  ears  ?  Come,  now,  be 
honest,  Jake,  and  tell  me." 

"  Are  you,  too,  in  the  league  against  me  ? — am  I  to  understand 
that  you,  too,  justify  her  in  this  course,  sir  ?  "  hastily  demanded 
Sherwood,  nettled  at  the  cool,  indifferent  manner  of  the  other,  as 
much  as  at  the  blunt  severity  involved  in  his  question.  "  I  had 
little  expected  this  from  you,  sir!  I  should  have  supposed  the 
interest  of  your  family  would  prompt  you  to  a  different  course." 

"Hinging  on  my  obligations,  are  you,  sir  ?  "  said  the  Captain, 
turning  fiercely  on  the  other,  with  eyes  flashing  indignation. 
"Look  ye,  Jake  Sherwood,  I  have,  from  the  very  first,  used  all 
reasonable  exertions  with  my  daughter,  to  reconcile  her  to  this 
match.  And  even  more,  I  have  done  that,  which,  when  I  have 
looked  upon  her  fading  face,  and  knew  that  she  was  martyring 
her  own  heart  to  please  me,  has  smitten  my  conscience  for  years. 
And  now  I  am  resolved  to  leave  her  to  make  her  own  decisions, 
unbiased  by  word  of  mine.  And  as  to  your  threats,  sir,  all  I  have 
to  say  is,  go,  and  do  your  worst!  Take  all  there  is  here  to  your 
self,  if  that  will  satisfy  you ;  or  go  join  the  enemies  of  your  coun 
try,  as  I  have  long  suspected  you  intended,  and  bring  them  down 
upon  us  to  murder  and  destroy,  if  you  choose.  But  don't  think  to 
buy  and  bribe  me  to  sell  my  own  flesh  and  blood !  And  don't 
come  here  again,  sir,  with  accusations  against  us,  till  you  can  come 
with  cleaner  hands.  Good  morning,  sir!  " 

So  saying,  the  indignant  old  man  unceremoniously  turned  his 
back  on  his  abashed  and  astonished  guest,  and  hastily  hobbled  off 
to  his  work;  while  the  latter,  after  standing  mute  and  motionless, 
on  the  spot  several  minutes,  and  leering  on  the  receding  form  of 
the  other,  with  the  concentrated  malice  of  a  fiend  in  his  looks, 
slowly  turned  away,  muttering  between  his  clenched  teeth,  "Re 
venge  !  revenge !  I  wonder  if  they  will  cheat  me  out  of  that  too  ?  " 

Feeling  no  desire  of  returning  to  the  house,  or  again  encounter 
ing  any  of  its  inmates,  Sherwood  now  struck  across  the  fields,  and 
directed  his  course  towards  Snake  Mountain,  at  the  particular  spot 
which  we  have  before  described  as  the  encampment  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys ;  but  which  was  now  occupied  by  another  and  a  far 
•-Different  company.  To  this  place  we  will  now  take  the  reader. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  245 

preceding  the  baffled  intriguer  a  short  time,  to  take  a  glance  at  the 
party  there  assembled. 

Sherwood  had  secretly  been  in  the  interests  of  the  Royalists  for 
nearly  two  years  previous  to  this  period  of  our  story ;  and  more 
than  a  year  before  he  had  received  a  captain's  commission,  with 
directions  to  raise  a  company  in  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  in 
which,  he  had  represented  to  the  British  officers,  with  whom  he 
privately  kept  up  a  communication,  were  to  be  found  many  faith 
ful  adherents  of  the  Crown.  And  Darrow,  through  Sherwood's 
influence,  had  also  been  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  of  the  con 
templated  company.  But  with  all  that  this  pair  of  military 
worthies  were  able  to  effect,  they  never  had  found  more  than 
about  a  half  dozen  men  in  this  settlement,  to  whom  they  dared  to 
propose  an  enlistment  into  the  king's  service.  These,  with  about 
an  equal  number  picked  up  within  the  borders  of  New  York,  they 
had  at  length  enrolled,  and  organized  into  a  fragment  of  a  com 
pany,  which,  for  the  first  time,  had  been  called  out  a  few  days 
previous  to  this  time,  with  the  view  of  cooperating  with  the 
invading  army  of  Burgoyne.  About  a  dozen  in  all,  they  were  now 
encamped,  on  the  ground  formerly  taken,  as  before  mentioned,  by 
Warrington  and  his  companions,  and  were  waiting  in  conceal 
ment,  the  approach  of  the  British  hordes,  that  were  now  pouring 
down  upon  the  devoted  settlement  from  the  north. 

At  the  time  we  would  introduce  this  group  to  the  reader,  Dar 
row  had  just  arrived  from  the  British  camp,  whither  he  had  been 
despatched  by  Sherwood,  when  the  latter  was  on  the  point  of 
setting  out  on  his  recent  visit  to  Albany.  And  having  taken  some 
refreshment,  the  lieutenant  was  now  sitting  on  a  rough  bench,  near 
the  entrance  of  their  shantee,  enjoying  a  little  repose  after  the 
fatigues  of  his  morning's  march.  He  had  fallen  into  a  doze,  and 
appeared  to  be  lost  to  all  external  objects ;  while  the  men  within, 
mostly  morose,  sullen  looking  fellows,  were  some  of  them  playing 
cards,  some  telling  stories,  and  others  talking  over  the  plans  they 
had  formed  to  revenge  themselves  upon  certain  families  in  the 
settlement,  against  whom  they  entertained  private  grudges,  as  soon 
as  they  should  be  let  loose  upon  the  inhabitants,  at  present  wholly 
unprotected  by  any  military  force  within  their  borders,  and  but 
little  aware  of  the  dangers  that  awaited  them. 

At  this  moment,  Sherwood,  having  passed  the  line  of  sentries, 
posted  at  intervals  round  the  encampment,  more  to  guard  against 
being  seen  and  reported  by  the  inhabitants,  than  any  expected  at 
tack,  approached  his  sleeping  subaltern,  and  tapped  him  lightly  on 


246  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

the  shoulder.  But  the  latter  not  awakening,  the  other  grasped  his 
coat  collar,  and  gave  him  a  rough,  impatient  shake,  at  which  the 
sleeper,  suddenly  starting,  leaped  on  his  feet,  and  dashing  away 
the  grasping  hand  of  his  superior,  fiercely  exclaimed : 

"I'll  be  d — ned,  if  you  shall!  You  have  come  before  your 
time,  be  off!  be  off,  I  say!  Oh!  ah!  "  he  continued,  nibbing  his 
eyes,  and  beginning  to  distinguish  between  the  reality  and  the  im 
age  that  appeared  to  have  been  haunting  his  dreaming  fancy: 
"Why.  Captain,  it  is  only  you  after  all,  is  it?  Well,  well, 
now!" 

* '  Why,  who  did  you  suppose  it  was,  Darrow,  I  should  like  to 
know  ?  " 

"O,  no  matter,  now, — I  was  in  the  middle  of  a  cursed  dream, 
and  thought  a  different  character  had  waited  on  me  to  do  a  little 
business  in  his  line — though  not  so  very  different,  perhaps.  But 
let  the  humbug  go — what  is  the  news  ?  " 

"Every  thing  that  is  bad,"  replied  Sherwood,  moroselv.  "The 
very  devil  himself,  I  would  not  have  believed,  could  baffle  me  so 
much  in  my  plans,  as  I  have  been,  since  I  saw  you." 

"  Why,  what  now,  Captain?  you  seem  rather  out  of  humor — 
what  has  happened  ?  " 

"  In  the  first  place  the  old  man  is  dead.  He  died  the  day  be 
fore  I  arrived." 

"Well,  what  of  that?  He  did  not  carry  off  his  money  with 
him,  did  he?  " 

"  No,  but  he  got  penitent  before  he  went  off,  and  wrote  out  a 
confession  of  that  old  affair,  in  a  letter  to  Hendee." 

' '  And  you  let  it  reach  him,  hey  ?  " 

"Not  so  big  a  fool  as  you  think.  I  gave  it  to  the  flames,  bo- 
fore  it  was  read  by  anyone  but  myself,  I  think." 

"  Very  well,  where  are  your  great  troubles,  then?  " 

"  Why — why—"  replied  Sherwood,  hesitating  to  inform  the 
other,  as  lie  was  about  to  do,  the  particulars  about  the  will,  and 
the  extent  of  his  fears  respecting  the  disposition  of  the  property, 
lest  the  minion  might  consider  it  for  his  interest  to  betray  him  to 
the  Hendees:  "why,  I  did  not  think  to  name  it,"  continued  the 
artful  dissembler,  deciding  the  question  he  had  been  debating  in 
his  mind  in  the  negative,  ' '  but,  upon  the  whole,  as  you  already 
know  so  much  about  the  affair,  I  think  I  will:  well,  getting 
home  last  night,  I  thought  I  would  go  down  to  Hendee's  this 
morning' ;  so  I  went,  and  soon  found  the  devil  to  pay.  That 
sneaking  tinker  had  been  there,  and  confessed  all,  and  the  girl 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  247 

fairly  spurned  roe  from  her  presence;  while  her  father — curso 
the  old  dotard!  he,  though  owing  rue  for  half  his  living  for  years, 
had  the  audacity  to  insult  me — yes,  insult  me,  Bill.  But  " — and 
he  nodded  significantly. 

"But  what  ?" 

"  I  can  help  myself,  Darrow." 

"Well,  I  would  do  it,  Jake,  without  any  more  puttering  with 
the  proud  minx." 

"I  will.  My  plans  are  fixed.  When  did  you  return  from 
head  quarters?  " 

"Not  two  hours  ago — I  left  then  early  this  morning." 

"What  is  the  news  ?" 

"The  whole  army  have  moved  on  to  the  mouth  of  the  Boquet, 
where  they  are  now  encamped.  A  large  body  of  Indians  joined 
them  yesterday,  and  General  Burgoyne  distributed  presents 
among  them,  made  a  speech  to  fix  them  for  fight,  and  wound  off 
by  giving  them  a  grand  war- feast.  Hell  and  thunder!  what 
whooping  and  yelling  there  was  there  last  night!  one  would  have 
thought  that  all  tophet  had  been  emptied  upon  the  earth,  and 
that  the  world  was  alive  with  devils !  " 

"  Good!  just  the  instruments  for  our  purpose  in  punishing  the 
doubly  damned  rebels  of  this  settlement.  But  did  not  the  Gen 
eral  send  me  any  directions?" 

"Yes,"  replied  Darrow,  taking  a  letter  from  his  pocket,  "he 
sent  you  this,  and  also,"  he  continued,  stepping  within  the  shantee 
and  bringing  out  a  thick  package  of  papers,  "and  also  this 
bundle  of  proclamations,  to  be  immediately  distributed  over  the 
settlement." 

"Well,  let  us  first  see  what  the  General  has  written  me," 
said  Sherwood  breaking  the  superb  seal,  and  reading  the  contents 
of  the  letter,  a  very  fair  specimen  of  the  official  fustian  of  its 
doughty  author,  who,  it  may  be  recollected,  was  a  fop  in  literature 
as  well  as  a  braggart  in  arms.  The  communication  ran  thus : — 

J.  SHERWOOD,  ESQ.,    Captain  of  His  Majesty  }s  Loyal  Americans  in 

the  New  Hampshire  Or  ants, — 

It  is  one  of  the  felicities  of  soldiership,  and  of  the  gratifications 
of  a  commander,  to  award  the  meed  of  approbation  to  fidelity  in 
a  common  cause,  and  fealty  to  a  common  sovereign.  This  meed, 
sir,  I  deem  it  no  flattery  to  say  is  yours,  speaking,  as  I  clo,  from 
personal  acquaintance,  and  on  the  voucher  of  Colonel  Bererlt 


248  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOT8.' 

Robinson,  a  Loyal  American  officer,  of  worth,  and  zeal,   and  ac 
tivity. 

The  army  under  my  command  will  now  in  a  day  or  two  move 
southwardly,  mainly  by  water,  but  partly  by  land  on  either  side 
of  the  lake.  To  you,  sir,  and  the  brave  and  loyal  men  whom 
you  have,  and  may  yet  further  induce  to  act  with  you,  we  look 
for  a  hearty  co-operation  in  all  that  can  be  effected  on  the  eastern 
shore,  and,  by  the  blessings  of  God,  I  will  effect  much,  while  we 
proceed  to  the  investiture,  and  consequent  capture  of  Crown 
Point,  Ticonderoga,  and  all  other  opposing  obstacles,  on  our  vic 
torious  march  to  Albany.  I  send  you  by  the  bearer,  Lieutenant 
William  Darrow,  a  package  of  proclamations,  issued  by  me,  and 
signed  by  the  same,  and  countersigned  by  Robert  Kingston, 
Esquire,  Secretary.  They  are  addresses  to  the  deluded  and 
suffering  people  of  your  settlement.  I  anticipate  great  and 
universal  effect  from  this  appeal,  made  irresistible,  as  it  is,  by 
offers  of  royal  mercy  to  the  penitent,  arguments  of  ineffable 
potency  to  the  deceived  by  rebel  sophistry  and  falsehood,  and 
by  the  palpable  shadowing  forth  of  the  sword  of  justice,  in  the 
contingent  action  of  our  red  allies,  to  the  perverse  and  stubborn. 
You  will  cause  one  of  these,  my  proclamations,  to  be  immediately 
left  at  every  cottage  and  hamlet,  if  possible,  in  the  settlement — 
to  the  protestations  of  which  proclamation,  together  with  such 
pecuniary  inducements  as  you  may  deem  it  expedient  to  offer 
towards  redeeming  the  land  from  the  disgrace  and  ruinous 
anarchy  of  an  unnatural  rebellion,  and  restoring  a  government  of 
laws,  of  honor,  of  legitimate  and  happy  sovereignty,  you  will  add 
your  own  attestations. 

With  sentiments,  believe  me, 

my  very  dear  sir,  of  esteem, 

J.  BURGOYNE. 

"There!  what  think  you  of  that,  Bill  ?  "  exultingly  exclaimed 
Sherwood,  as  he  concluded  the  perusal  of  the  precious  document 
"  Is  not  that  a  handsome  thing  for  a  man,  who  stands  so  high 
at  the  British  court,  to  say  to  and  of  us  ?  " 

"Why,  yes,  Captain,  what  he  means  is  well  enough,  I  s'pose; 
but  if  a  British  General  had  not  writ  it,  I  should  have  called 
some  of  it  nothing  but  damn  flumididdle." 

"  O,  it  is  a  feather  in  our  caps,  Darrow,  depend  on't.  Bur- 
goyne  is  hand  and  glove  with  the  king  and  ministers,  besides 
being  a  noted  warrior.  He  will  conquer  all  the  northern  colo- 


T11M    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  249 

nies.  The  rebellion,  indeed,  is  as  good  as  crushed  already.  And 
then  the  country  will  be  divided  off  into  lordships,  and  those, 
who  have  been  most  active  in  subduing  the  rebels,  will  all  re 
ceive  rich  rewards  out  of  their  confiscated  estates.  Bright  days 
are  before  us,  Bill.  And  while  we  are  thus  making  our  fortunes, 
what  a  glorious  chance  to  pay  off  old  scores  upon  these  rascally 
settlers  ?  You  can  safely  act  out  nature  now,  Bill,  with  a  ven 
geance.  "We  will  have  our  revenge,  and  the  beauty  of  it  is, 
that  others  must  father  our  deeds,  and  pay  us  well  into  the  bar 
gain  for  what  it  is  only  a  happiness  to  perform." 

"  What  are  your  plans,  Captain  ?  " 

"You,  or  I,  must  go,  this  very  night,  over  to  the  British  camp, 
and  get  Burgoyne  to  let  us  have  fifty  red  skins  to  make  up  our 
company.  We  shall  want  them  soon,  and  perhaps  I  may,  for  the 
first  purpose." 

' '  Damn  it,  Jake,  you  are  too  thirsty, "  said  the  minion,  looking 
keenly  at  the  other,  and  comprehending  the  purpose  of  which  he 
spoke:  "they  are  your  own  flesh  and  blood.  You  don't  mean  to 
let  those  red  devils  loose  upon  them,  do  you  ?  " 

"No;  but  leave  me  to  take  care  of  them.  They  need  not  be 
harmed,  but  prisoners  they  shall  be  till  that  haughty  jade's  pride 
is  brought  to  begging  terms.  And  this  is  the  first  case,  Darrow, 
tc  be  attended  to." 

u  I  am  not  quite  sure  but  there  is  another  case  for  you  to  attend 
to,  also,  Jake." 

"What  is  that  ?  "  asked  Sherwood,  turning  to  the  other,  with 
a  look  of  blended  curiosity  and  appehrension. 

"Why,  perhaps  it  is  all  nothing  but  a  notion,  after  all.  But  I 
will  tell  you  the  wrinkle  that's  got  into  my  head,  and  how  it  got 
there.  In  coming  from  head  quarters  to-day,  I  ran  my  canoe 
generally  close  in  to  the  shore  of  the  other  side  of  the  lake,  and, 
on  arriving  within  about  a  mile  of  Crown  Point,  and  about  as 
far,  as  I  intended,  before  crossing  over  to  this  side,  I  took  it  into 
my  head  I  would  go  up  into  the  woods,  climb  a  tree,  and  try  to 
get  a  peep  into  the  fort,  as  the  general  asked  me  very  particularly 
about  the  number  of  the  garrison  there.  Well,  I  went  on  apiece 
into  the  woods,  when  I  heard  the  steps  of  some  one  crossing  my 
course  ahead,  and  taking  his  way  to  the  fort ;  so  I  squatted  down 
in  an  old  tree  top,  where  I  could  remain  unseen  till  he  passed  by. 
His  course  brought  him  within  a  few  rods  of  the  spot  where  I 
lay;  and  when  nearly  abreast  of  me,  he  mounted  an  old  log,  and, 
without  discovering  me,  took  a  sort  of  leisurely  survey  of  the 


250  v  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

woods  around  him,  turning  his  face  so  as  to  give  me  a  fair  view 
of  his  countenance — and —  " 

"  Well,  what  more  about  it — who  and  what  was  he  ?  " 

"  Why,  though  not  in  full  uniform,  I  think  he  must  be  a  young 
rebel  officer,  who  had  been  out  with  his  gun  for  game.  Though 
he  must  have  arrived  at  the  fort  quite  lately." 

''But  who  do  you  mistrust  him  to  be  ?  "  asked  Sherwood,  with 
evident  uneasiness. 

"  That  is  the  question  that  has  been  bothering  my  brains  ever 
since.  Jake,  don't  you  think  it  possible  for  a  man  to  wear  about 
the  same  face  and  look  that  he  did  when  a  boy,  so  that  one,  who 
had  never  seen  him  from  four  or  five  years  old,  would  know  him 
again  when  grown  up  ?  " 

"  Yes,  barely  possible;  but  what  the  devil  are  you  coming  to, 
Bill  ?  What  has  that  to  do  with  this  case  ?  "  demanded  Sher 
wood,  with  an  agitation  which  lie  was  unable  to  conceal. 

"Maybe  a  good  deal.  There  was  something  in  this  fellow's 
looks  that  struck  me, — that  made  me  ready  to  swear  I  had  seen 
the  same  countenance  before,  though  somehow,  not  just  the  same 
neither.  Well,  he  finally  went  on,  and  I,  forgetting  all  about 
spying  into  the  fort,  went  back,  and  struck  off  for  this  side,  this 
fellow's  countenance  all  the  while  haunting  me,  and  working  up  a 
devilish  strange,  streaked  kind  of  feeling,  that  I  can't  very  well 
describe.  Well,  as  I  was  crossing  over,  still  bothering  on  the 
subject,  I  happened  to  cast  my  eyes  up  the  lake,  when  I  caught 
a  glimpse  of  old  Hendee's  house  through  the  trees;  and  by 
heavens!  it  came  across  my  mind,  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  who 
the  fellow  must  be." 

"What  mean  you,  Darrow  ?"  exclaimed  Sherwood,  seizing  the 
arm  of  the  other  with  a  convulsive  grasp,  while  his  face  became 
as  pale  as  ashes. 

"I  mean,"  replied  Darrow,  looking  his  agitated  companion 
full  in  the  face,  and  speaking  in  a  low,  measured,  and  decisive 
tone,  "I  mean,  Jake  Sherwood,  that  if  Captain  Hendee's  boy 
lived,  he  is  now  among  us!  " 

Long  and  earnestly  communed  these  worthies  in  conjectures 
about  the  person  concerning  whom  Darrow  had  made,  as  he  felt 
confident  he  had,  so  startling  a  discovery.  Who  could  he  be  ? 
By  what  name  now  known  ?  Could  he  be  aware  of  his  own  family 
history  ?  Had  he  discovered  his  relations  ?  were  questions 
which  were"  raised  by  them,  but  without  finding  any  satisfactory 
answers.  The  two  last  questions,  however,  were  at  length 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  351 

settled  in  the  negative.  And,  after  some  further  discussion,  in 
regard  to  the  best  means  of  ascertaining  more  about  the  private 
history  of  the  unconscious  object  of  their  deliberations,  and  the 
most  feasible  way  of  disposing  of  him,  if  the  information  gained 
rendered  it  probable  he  was  the  person  they  feared  him  to  be, 
they  broke  up  their  conference,  Darrow  retiring  to  rest,  and 
Sherwood,  with  two  of  his  man,  as  attendants  and  oarsmen,  set 
ting  off  for  head  quarters,  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  distant  from 
the  tory  encampment. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


'  Sounds  from  the  waters,  sounds  upon  the  earth, 
Sounds  in  the  air,  of  batt2el    Yet  with  these 
A  voice  is  mingling,  whose  deep  tones  gire  birth 
To  faith  and  courage." 


THE  storm  of  war  which  had  been  gathering  for  some  weeks 
in  the  north,  almost  unnoticed  by  the  Americans,  now  began  to 
roll  down  upon  their  frontier  settlements  with  a  rapidity  as 
alarming  as  it  was  unexpected.  Although  the  leaders  of  the 
continental  army  were  aware  of  the  landing  of  a  large  British 
force  at  Quebec,  in  the  month  of  May,  from  which  an  invasion 
Was  expected,  either  by  way  of  Oswego,  as  had  previously  been 
given  out,  or  through  the  valley  of  Lake  Champlain ;  yet,  count 
ing  on  the  same  dilatory  action,  by  which  all  the  movements  of 
the  enemy  had  been  characterized  ever  since  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  they  supposed  it  might  be  late  in  the  summer  before  the 
hostile  army,  should  they  take  the  eastern  route,  would  reach  the 
military  posts  on  Champlain.  But  whatever  might  have  been 
the  errors  of  other  British  commanders  in  the  respect  just 
named,  none  of  that  kind  certainly  could  be  chargeable  on  Gen 
eral  Burgoyne.  The  navigable  waters  of  the  north  had  scarcely 
burst  their  wintry  fetters  before  he  landed  at  Montreal.  And 
in  another  week  he  was  pouring  the  disciplined  bands  of  his 
proud  and  numerous  army  along  the  western  shores  of  Lake 
Champlain.  The  American  generals  were,  in  a  great  measure, 


252  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

taken  by  surprise  by  this  rapid  advance  of  the  enemy,  and  having 
delayed  to  strengthen  their  defences,  they  were  but  illy  prepared 
to  meet  the  first  shock  of  so  powerful  a  force.  And  if  those, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  make  themselves  early  acquainted  with  the 
enemy's  movements  had  thus  been  kept  in  the  da-rk  respecting 
the  important  one  in  question,  still  less,  as  may  well  be  supposed, 
were  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  apprised  of  the  time  and 
extent  of  the  coining  invasion.  The  settlers  of  the  New  Hamp 
shire  Grants,  who  were  directly  in  the  route  of  the  enemy,  were 
consequently  almost  wholly  ignorant  of  the  dangers  that  awaited 
them  till  the  storm  was  nearly  ready  to  burst  on  their  defenseless 
heads.  And  their  surprise,  therefore,  was  only  equalled  by  their 
dismay,  when  the  American  scouts,  who  had  been  despatched  to 
gain  intelligence  of  the  reported  invasion,  returned  and  spread 
the  startling  news,  that  a  British  army  of  ten  thousand  regulars, 
with  several  thousand  savage  foes,  was  within  a  few  miles  of 
their  borders,  ready  to  spread  death  and  devastation  over  their 
whole  settlement.  This  information,  which  many  still  hoped 
might  be  false,  or  greatly  exaggerated,  was  fully  confirmed  the 
next  morning  after  it  was  received  by  the  scouts,  by  Burgoyne's 
proclamations,  which,  through  the  activity  of  Sherwood's  band  of 
tories,  had  been  left  during  the  night  at  the  door  of  every  house 
through  all  the  northern  section  of  the  country.  This  pompous 
and  gasconading  document,  however,  with  all  its  promises  and 
threats,  had,  notwithstanding  its  author's  anticipations,  no  other 
effect  on  the  inhabitants  than  to  bring  them  to  the  determination 
of  driving  off  their  stock  so  far  into  the  interior  as  to  be  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  enemy,  and  of  commencing  active  preparations 
for  fleeing  themselves  before  the  invading  army. 

With  these  general  observations  on  the  situation  of  affairs  at 
this  particular  junction,  we  will  now  return  to  the  Hendee  family, 
to  follow  their  fortunes  through  the  fearful  trials  which  were  now 
shortly  to  await  them. 

It  was  not  till  night,  after  the  signal  failure  of  Sherwood  at 
their  cottage,  that  Miss  Hendee  had  an  opportunity  of  ascertaining 
what  had  passed  between  that  personage  and  her  father  in  their 
recent  interview.  That  evening  Captain  Hendee,  on  his  return 
from  the  labors  of  the  day,  entered  the  room  where  Alma  hap 
pened  at  the  moment  to  be  sitting  alone,  and  silently  took  a  seat 
at  the  open  window.  A  frown  was  upon  his  brow.  The  uneasi 
ness,  "which  a  man  of  high  spirit  may  be  expected  to  feel  from  a 
cense  of  obligations  to  one  be  secretly  despises,  combined,  in  th? 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS*  253 

present  instance,  with  the  mean  advantage  taken  of  such  obliga 
tions  by  Sherwood,  had,  all  the  afternoon,  been  operating  upon 
the  old  gentleman's  irritable  temperament;  and  he  was  now 
evidently  in  no  very  pleasant  frame  of  mind.  At  the  first  glance 
his  daughter  detected  in  his  countenance  the  unfailing  indications 
of  a  storm :  but  on  whom  it  was  to  burst,  she  was  unable  to  de 
termine.  From  the  circumstances  attending  the  interview 
between  Sherwood  and  her  father,  she  felt  satisfied,  that  she,  her 
self,  had  been  the  subject  of  their  discourse ;  and  although  ex 
tremely  anxious  to  know  the  result  of  that  conference,  yet  she 
almost  feared  the  knowledge  she  wished  to  obtain.  And  with 
trembling  solicitude,  therefore,  she  awaited  in  silence  the  an 
nouncement,  which  she  saw  from  her  father's  mood,  would  not 
long  be  withheld.  After  sitting  some  minutes  puffing  away  rap 
idly  at  his  pipe,  and  knitting  his  brows,  with  an  angry  flashing 
expression  of  countenance,  he  suddenly  drew  the  implement  from 
his  mouth,  and  by  way  of  knocking  out  the  ashes,  gave  it  so 
spiteful  a  rap  on  the  window-sill  as  to  shiver  it  to  pieces  in  his 
hand.  Hastily  dashing  the  broken  fragments  out  of  the  window, 
he  turned  abruptly  to  his  daughter,  and  said: 

"  Alma,  what  did  Jake  Sherwood  say  to  you  to-day  ?  " 

"Why,  many  things,  father, — would  you  wish  me  to  repeat  all 
he  said  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  don't  hold  to  prying  into  such  matters,  for  a  general 
rule,  but  I  have  particular  reasons  for  wishing  to  know  now." 

Still  feeling  uncertain  on  whom  the  resentment  of  her  father 
was  about  to  fall,  Alma,  with  some  agitation,  proceeded  to  detail 
the  conversation  in  question,  giving  the  words  used  by  Sher 
wood,  and  the  substance  of  her  own  replies. 

"  Threats  to  you,  too,  hey  ?  "  said  the  Captain,  after  listening 
attentively  to  his  daughter's  relation  of  the  affair.  "  Why  didn't 
you  drive  the  pitiful  puppy  from  the  house  with  your  broom- 
stick  ?  " 

"  You  astonish  me,  father!  "  replied  Alma,  looking  up  intothb 
face  of  the  other  with  an  expression  of  joyful  surprise. 

The  old  gentleman  made  no  reply,  but  again  relapsing  into 
moody  silence,  sat  some  time  without  uttering  a  word.  At  length 
he  brought  his  foot  to  the  floor  with  an  angry,  decisive  stamp— 
and  while  the  tears,  which  were  brought  to  his  eyes  by  his  keenly 
conflicting  emotions,  were  glimmering  on  the  quickly  moving 
lashes,  he  again  turned  suddenly  to  his  expecting  daughter  and 


254=  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

' '  Alma,  are  you  willing  to  become  a  slave  ?  " 

"  For  my  own,  and  your  support,  I  could  cheerfully  become 
one,  dear  father.  But  a  slave  to  a  villain  I  can  never  be. " 

u  Nobly  said !  spoken  with  the  spirit  of  a  Hendee !  would  to  God 
I  was  more  worthy  of  such  a  daughter  !  "  exclaimed  the  passionate 
old  man,  choking  with  emotion:  "come  here,  Alma,  I  have  been 
wrong,  and  you  have  been  right, — come,  come  to  me,  my  child, 
forgive  and  kiss  me." 

In  another  instant  the  father  and  daughter  were  locked  in 
each  other's  arms,  intermingling  their  tears,  and  giving  them 
selves  up  to  the  gush  of  feelings  which  was  overflowing  their 
hearts  at  this  return  of  mutual  love  and  confidence  to  their  long 
estranged  and  distrusting  bosoms, 

"I  did  not  make  any  reply  to  you,  Alma,  when  you  laid  open 
to  me  the  conduct  of  that  base  and  intriguing  villain,"  at  length, 
observed  the  Captain,  releasing  his  daughter  from  his  embrace, 
and  regaining  his  composure,  though  the  other  continued  weep 
ing.  "  But  it  was  not  because  I  doubted  the  truth  of  what  you 
told  me,  or  because  I  had  it  in  my  heart  to  try  to  restrain  you 
any  further.  It  was  because  I  felt  self-condemned,  guilty  — 
guilty  for  what  I  had  already  done  in  making  war  upon  the  hap 
piness,  and  I  know  not  but  upon  the  health,  of  my  own,  and 
only  child.  O,  don't,  weep  so  —  don't,  my  dear  daughter! 
Thank  God,  we  have  both  now  cut  the  ties  by  which  we  were 
held  in  bondage,  and  are  free.  The  Sherwoods  may  have  all; 
and  we  wont  trouble  them  neither  to  drive  us  off:  we  will  leave 
this  place,  Alma,  for  the  southern  part  of  the  settlement.  As 
old  and  infirm  as  I  am,  I  can  still  work.  Our  faithful  Neshobee 
will  also  stick  by  us,  and  work  as  much  as  an  Indian  will  ever 
work,  for  you  know  the  Indians  are  a  lazy  race,  and  we  must 
make  allowance  for  him.  But  at  all  events,  as  poorly  as  we  ma}' 
fare,  our  poverty  will  be  happiness  compared  to  the  slavery  that 
Jake  Sherwood  would  now  impose  on  us  if  we  remained.  Yes, 
Alma,  we  will  go — that  is  if  you  are  willing.  "What  say  you,  my 
daughter,  are  you  ready  to  relinquish  this  pleasant  home,  and  go 
with  me,  penniless,  indeed,  but  with  the  proud  and  happy  con- 
Bciousness  that  we  are  free." 

;'O,  yes,  yes,  indeed,  my  dear  father,"  eagerly  replied  the 
other,  with  a  look  of  joy  and  gratitude,  that  beamed  brightly 
through  her  still  fast  falling  tears;  "  and  never  could  an  eastern 
slave  leave  his  gilded  fetters  behind  him  with  more  pleasure  than 
I  sh all  quit  this  place.  Yes,  yes;  and,  believe  me,  my  father, 


THE    GHWEtf    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  255 

however  hard  my  lot — however  menial  I  had  known  would  be  my 
employment  for  support,  I  have  not  seen  an  hour  for  the  last 
two  long  and  joyless  years,  but  my  heart  would  have  leaped  to 
hear  you  make  such  a  proposal.  And  if  such  then  were  my 
feelings,  judge  what  must  now  be  my  pleasure  to  hear  your  an 
nouncement." 

The  conversation  was  here  interrupted  by  a  light  rap  on  the 
door,  and  while  the  Captain  and  his  daughter  were  pausing  for  a 
repetition  of  the  sound,  uncertain  -whether  it  proceeded  from 
some  one  wishing  for  admittance,  the  door  was  partly  opened  by 
a  man  without,  and  the  queer  visage  of  our  old  friend  Pete 
Jones,  was  protruded  with  a  comical,  enquijing  look,  into  the 
room. 

"  How  are  ye  ?  "  he  said,  after  glancing  from  father  to  daugh 
ter  a  moment,  with  a  half  sheepish,  half  roguish  expression,  in 
dicating  his  consciousness  of  having  on  a  former  occasion,  played 
a  little  upon  the  credulity  of  the  old  gentleman,  of  which  he  felt 
slightly  ashamed,  though  still  inwardly  tickled  at  the  recollec 
tion  of  the  trick:  "  how  are  ye,  Captain  ?  Sarvant,  marni !  " 

"It  is  Mr.  Jones  of  the  army,  father,  the  person  who  gave  me 
tlie  news  I  imparted  to  you  respecting  the  expected  invasion," 
observed  Miss  Hendee,  noticing  that  her  father  did  not  recognize 
the  scout. 

u  Ah !  the  tall  gentleman  that  called  here  once  —  I  recollect  — 
did  you  try  my  remedy — but  no  matter,  now — walk  in,  walk  in, 
sir,  said  the  Captain. 

"Why,  no,  tankee,"  replied  Jones,  leaning  his  long  body  on 
his  arm,  and  swaying  it  to  and  fro  by  the  play  of  the  door  on  its 
hinges,  as  he  grasped  the  handle,  "  I  guess  I'm  rather  too  much 
in  a  hurry  about  these  times." 

"  You  called  on  some  errand,  then  ? — to  give  us  some  news, 
-perhaps  ?  "  rejoined  the  Captain,  expectingly. 

"  Why,  yes — that  is,  if  you  would  like  to  hear  it — that  is,  if 
you  han't  heard  it  already." 

"  Speak  on,  sir." 

"Well,  I  thought  I'd  just  pop  in  my  countenance,  as  I  carn6 
along  back,  to  see,  that  in  case  the  devil  was  at  your  heels, 
whether  you  would  like  to  know  it  ?  " 

"You  speak  in  riddles — how  shall  I  understand  you,  sir  ?  " 

"Well,  I  an't  particular,  how." 

"You  said  the  devil  ?" 

"Yes,   and  his  name  is  Legion.     Why,   to  be  plain  about  it 


256  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

Captain,  a  British  ariny  of  ten  thousand,  with  as  many  red.  skins 
as  one  would  wish  to  see,  will  most  likely  be  here  before  to-mor 
row  night." 

"You  astonish  me,  sir!  Has  any  news  of  this  reached  the 
other  settlers  in  this  quarter  ? " 

"I  have  just  sent  a  brother  scout  up  the  road  here,  to  tell 
them  they  may  as  well  be  driving  off  their  cattle,  and  jogging 
along  south  themselves  in  the  course  of  to-morrow.  I  just  come 
from  the  fort  over  here,  and  they've  pretty  much  concluded  to 
pack  up  there,  and  be  off  for  Old  Ti.  to-night ;  so  the  red  coats 
and  Indians  will  have  full  play  along  the  shores  till  they  get  to 
Ti.,  where  there  will  be  something  of  a  brush,  likely." 

' '  You  would  advise  us  women  and  cripples,  then,  to  beat  a 
retreat,  would  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  that's  rather  my  notion,  considering.  Though 
Burgoyne  says — haven't  you  seen  his  proclamation  ?  " 

"No." 

"Well,  you  will  soon,  I  guess.  The  tories  have  scattered 'em 
as  thick  as  bumblebees  along  north  of  here.  Burgoyne  says,  as 
nigh  as  I  can  English  the  high-flown  concern,  stay  at  home,  sell 
him  your  cattle,  and  he  will  protect  you.  But  if  you  budge  an 
inch,  he  will  let  loose  the  red  skins  to  act  at  their  pleasure  upon 
you.  And  what  that  will  be,  you  know  as  well  as  any  man,  they 
say,  Captain." 

' '  Yes,  I  know  enough  of  their  tender  mercies.  And  I  know 
also  that  Burgoyne,  whatever  he  may  promise,  can  no  more  restrain 
the  hell-hounds,  after  he  has  once  let  them  from  their  slips,  than 
he  can  crupper  the  whirlwinds.  Montcalm  tried  that  experiment, 
on  that  dreadful  day  of  blood  and  horror,  at  Fort  William  Henry—  * 
at  least,  I  think  he  tried  to  avert  the  catastrophe :  for  Montcalm, 
though  an  enemy  that  troubled  us  much,  was  yet  a  brave  man ;  and 
as  a  general  rule,  my  friend,  you  will  never  find  a  truly  brave  man 
either  cruel  or  treacherous.  The  great  sin  is  in  employing  the 
Indians.  And  this  circumstance  will  do  much,  in  the  present  case, 
to  hasten  the  destruction  of  Burgoyne.  Even  the  dead,  almost,  will 
rise  up  to  bear  arms  against  him.  All  New  England  in  a  week, 
will  be  in  motion.  In  another  week  as  he  passes  along  up  the 
lake,  they  will  be  hanging  like  an  angry  thunder  cloud  on  his 
flank.  And,  mark  my  word,  sir,  this  General  will  find,  before  he 
reaches  Albany,  that  neither  his  numbers  nor  his  proclamations  will 
save  him." 

"  The  Lord  grant  y ou^  may  prove  a  true  prophet,  and  I  think, 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  257 

upon  the  whole,  you  will.  Ilowsomever,  Captain,  it  will  be  con 
siderable  of  a  chore  to  bring  it  all  to  pass.  And  while  we  are 
fixing  for  it,  I  rather  guess  you,  along  the  northern  parts  here,  may 
as  well  make  yourselves  scarce  a  little." 

"We  intend  it,  sir.  Indeed,  as  regards  my  family,  we  had 
already  determined  on  a  removal  soon.  And  now  we  shall  follow 
your  advice  immediately,  with  many  thanks  to  you  for  calling. 
Let  me  see — our  first  move  shall  be  for  Rutland,  where  we  can 
probably  safely  remain  a  few  days,  to  conclude  on  a  place  for  a 
more  permanent  residence," 

"  Will  you,  sir,"  said  Miss  Hendee,  with  a  slight  blush,  as  she 
perceived  the  scout  was  about  to  depart,  ' '  will  you  apprise  our 
friends  in  the  army  of  the  destination  we  think  of  taking  ?  " 

"  Will  you  take  this,  sir,  to  the  person  to  whom  it  is  addressed  ? " 
said  Miss  Reed,  who,  during  the  latter  part  of  the  conversation, 
had  been  nimbly  plying  her  fingers  over  the  blank  leaf  of  a  little 
volume  which  she  had  been  reading  in  an  adjoining  apartment, 
when  the  scout's  voice  and  anticipated  errand  brought  her  into  the 
room.  "You  see,  Alma,  I  am  not  afraid  to  write  to  my  beau  ; 
now  I  will  leave  it  to  the  Captain  to  say,  who  is  the  bravest  ?  "  she 
added,  turning  to  the  latter  with  an  expression  in  which  roguish 
defiance,  and  fear  of  disapprobation,  were  queerly  blended. 

"Ah,  girls, "said  the  Captain  in  reply,  after  a  moment's  hesita 
tion,  which  seemed  to  end  in  a  conclusion  to  treat  the  matter  good 
naturedly,  "you may  be  setting  your  caps  for  men  that  will  be 
swinging  on  the  gallows  in  three  months:  for  you  know,  in 
attempted  revolutions,  men  are  only  patriots  and  heroes  when  they 
succeed,  and  are  but  rebels  and  traitors  when  they  don't." 

"We  prefer,  however,"  replied  Alma,  with  spirit,  "to  set  our 
caps  for  men  who  may  be  hung  on  that  principle,  rather  than  for 
those  who  should  be  hung  on  every  other." 

"  Is  not  there  a  law,  Captain  Hendee,"  asked  Jessy,  archly  "  that 
a  man  may  be  pardoned  on  the  gallows,  if  a  lady  can  be  found 
who  will  step  up  and  marry  him  on  the  spot  ? " 

"Why,  I  have  heard  such  stories,"  replied  the  Captain  laugh 
ing,  "but  supposing  there  was  such  a  provision,  in  this  country, 
you  little  quiz  ?  " 

"Why,  in  that  ca§e,"  replied  Jessy,  casting  a  roguish  look  at 
Alma,  ' '  I  think  there  are  certain  officers  in  our  army  who  need 
not  be  under  any  great  apprehensions  of  being  hung  at  present." 

"  Now,  that  is  what  I  call  grit,"  observed  Jones,  who  had  been 
looking  on  the  two  beautiful  and  spirited  creatures  before  him, 


258  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

with  an  admiration  equalled  only  by  his  surprise.  "  The  Colonel 
and  Captain  know  considerable  well  what  they  have  been  about, 
after  all,  I  see.  Well,  I  must  be  jogging,  I  guess,  Captain,  so 
good  nighty.  And  you,  gals,  may  the  Lord  bless  ye,  and  keep 
you  steadfast  in  your  resolution !  If  I  had  a  hogshead  of  blood, 
it  should  all  be  shed  for  ye,  and  the  like  of  ye.  Trol,  lol,  lol. 
loldelarly!" 

During  that  night  and  the  following  day,  all  was  bustle  and 
commotion  throughout  the  northern  part  of  the  settlement.  ' '  To 
arms !  to  arms !  "  resounded  in  every  direction.  And  nearly  all 
the  able  bodied  men,  promptly  responding  to  the  call  of  General 
Schuyler,  whose  expresses  were  seen  furiously  dashing  along  the 
roads  to  rally  the  hitherto  slumbering  settlement,  seized  their 
rifles  or  muskets  and  hastened  off  to  join  their  countrymen  in 
arms,  leaving  the  old  men.  invalids  and  boys,  to  take  charge  of 
their  families,  in  removing  from  the  scene  of  danger.  The  stock 
was  collected  in  droves,  marked  with  the  initials  of  the  owner's 
name  and  started  off  for  the  south ;  while  the  inhabitants,  taking 
with  them  all  the  articles  of  value,  which  their  respective  modes 
of  traveling  would  permit,  collected  in  small  companies,  and 
soon  followed.  The  party  whose  destinies  more  immediately 
concern  our  story,  consisting  of  Captain  Hendee,  Neshobee,  the 
two  young  ladies,  and  their  respective  female  domestics,  in  the 
course  of  the  day,  bade  adieu  to  their  pleasant  cottage,  and 
mingled  in  the  general  flight,  which,  by  night  fall,  brought  them 
in  safety  to  the  house  of  a  hospitable  friend,  nearly  twenty  miles 
distant  from  the  home,  to  which,  as  they  supposed,  they  were 
ntyer  more  to  return. 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 


CHAPTER  X. 


•— "  Not  all  BO  much  for  love 

As  for  another  secret  close  intent, 

By  marrying  her,  which  I  must  reach  unto, 

But  yet  I  run  before  my  horse  to  market ; 

Clarence  still  breathes:  Edward  still  lives,  and, 

When  these  are  gone,  then  must  I  count  my  gains.' 


SEVERAL  unforseen  circumstances  connected  with  the  removal 
of  their  effects,  together  with  the  impression  that  they  were  now 
so  far  south  as  to  be  in  no  very  immediate  danger  from  any  in 
cursions  of  the  enemy,  having  induced  our  party  to  accept  the 
invitation  of  their  kind  entertainer  to  remain  a  few  days  at  his 
abode,  nearly  a  week  had  unfortunately  been  suffered  to  elapse 
without  resuming  their  journey.  Aroused,  however,  at  length 
by  the  news  that  Burgoyne  had  reached  Ticonderoga,  and  closely 
invested  the  fortress,  while  a  party  of  tories  and  Indians  were 
ravaging  the  country  to  the  north  of  them,  both  the  families 
of  Captain  llendee  and  his  host,  determined  on  an  instant  de 
parture  for  a  place  of  more  safety.  Accordingly,  with  a  few- 
hasty  preparations,  they  started  in  their  respective  carriage* 
about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  for  Castleton,  which  they 
were  under  the  expectation  of  being  enabled  to  reach  by  day 
light.  The  day  being  excessively  sultry,  Captain  Hendee,  after 
traveling  awhile  at  rather  a  brisk  pace,  checked  his  horses,  and 
suffered  them  to  fall  into  a  moderate  walk,  during  which  the 
other  party,  who  were  in  advance,  and  who  seemed  less  disposed 
to  slacken  their  speed,  passed  entirely  out  of  sight,  and  soon  be 
came  widely  separated  from  their  more  tardy  fellow  travelers. 
When  our  party  had  proceeded  several  miles  in  this  leisurely 
manner,  and  while  the  Captain,  to  use  a  quaint  and  somewhat 
curious  expression  of  the  poet  Paruell,  was  "deceiving  the  road,n 
by  the  relation  of  one  of  his  old  war  stories,  they  were  met  by  a 
stout  built,  though  an  ordinary  looking,  and  slovenly  dressed 
man  on  horseback,  who,  after  closely  scrutinizing  the  company 
u  moment,  stopped  his  horse,  indicating,  at  the  same  time  by 


860  THE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

his  looks  and  gestures,  a  wish  that  the  others  should  stop  a.so. 
Supposing  the  stranger  was  desirous  of  making  some  enquiries, 
Captain  Hendee  instantly  pulled  up  his  horses,  and  sat  waiting, 
with  an  air  of  expectation,  for  the  man  to  proceed  with  what 
he  might  have  to  propose. 

"I  was  thinking  what  your  name  mought  be,  Mister,"  at  length 
began  the  horseman,  with  a  bold,  saucy  air.  "It  kinder  seems 
to  me  I  have  seen  you  somewhere  or  other." 

"Very  possibly,  sir,1'  replied  the  Captain,  in  a  manner  suffi 
ciently  cool  and  repulsive,  as  he  thought,  to  check  the  intrusive 
familiarity  of  the  other. 

"Well,  I  knowed  I  had,"  rejoined  the  stranger,  not  at  all 
abashed  by  the  coolness  with  which  his  advances  had  been  met, 
"  and  yet  I  don't  know  as  I  can  quite  call  you  by  name." 

"My  name  is  Hendee,   sir." 

"  Ah !  O,  yes; — you  live  down  there  against  Crown  Point  ?  " 

"Yes;  or  at  least  we  did  till  within  a  few  days.  But  how 
happens  it,  that  you  are  going  to  a  part,  which,  at  this  time,  the 
settlers  are  so  generally  deserting  ?  " 

"  Why  an't  it  safe  traveling  that  way  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  for  some,  doubtless,"  replied  the  Captain  signifi 
cantly. 

"Well,  I  spose  you've  hearn  of  me,"  observed  the  stranger, 
evidently  disconcerted  at  the  suspicions  which  he  perceived  were 
beginning  to  be  entertained  of  him,  "my  name  is  David  Reming 
ton.  You  are  acquainted  in  Castleton,  an't  you  ?  " 

"Yes,  with  several  individuals  in  that  town." 

"  Well,  that's  where  I  live,  when  I'm  to  home.  Do  you  know 
Mr.  Woodward  there  ?  " 

"I  do,  sir." 

"I  want  to  know?  Well,  now,  he  is  one  of  my  near  neigh 
bors.  Here's  a  paper  he  gin  me  'tother  day.  Jest  read  it,  will 
ye  ?" 

Captain  Hendee,  with  an  air  of  curiosity,  not  unmmgled,  how 
ever,  with  surprise,  at  an  offer  so  gratuitously  made  to  an  entire 
stranger,  took  the  paper,  which  the  other  now  extended  to  him, 
and  read  as  follows: — 

"  This  may  certify  that  David  Remington,  the  bearer  hereof, 
is  thought  to  be  a  true  friend  to  the  States  of  America. 

JOSEPH  WOODWARD,  Com.  of  Safety.* 

Castleton,  June  28,  1777." 
A  literal  copy  of  the  original  certificate,  lodged  in  the  public  archives  ol 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  261 

"This  appears  to  be  genuine,  and  should  be  sufficient," 
remarked  the  Captain  musingly,  as  he  handed  back  the  paper. 
"Have  they  received  any  news  at  Castleton  within  a  day  or  two, 
sir  ? "  he  added,  with  more  freedom  of  manner  than  he  had  be 
fore  exhibited  towards  the  other. 

"  News?— from  where  ?" 

"From  our  forces  at  Ticonderoga,  I  mean,  of  course," 

'*  Oh,  yes,  I  s'pose  so— why,  I  came  from  there  myself,  last 
sight." 

"Indeed,  sir?  Well,  what  is  the  prospect  of  St.  Glair's  being 
able  to  cope  with  the  enemy,  so  as  to  put  a  stop  to  their  progreB* 
at  that  place  ?  " 

"Cope !  hum!  He  will  be  lucky  if  he  don't  get  coped  himself, 
I  guess." 

"  What,  sir?  The  garrison  are  in  no  danger  of  being  taken 
themselves,  surely?" 

"Well,  sir,  I  don't  pretend  to  know  nothing  about  it;  but  I 
shouldn't  be  surprised  if  the  folks  about  here  heard  news,  within 
twenty-four  hours,  that  made  'em  stare." 

"Impossible?  But  what  is  the  situation  of  affairs  there,  that 
leads  yon  to  this  conclusion  ?  " 

"Why,  sir,  the  situation  is,  that  General  Red  Hazle,*  with  hii 
Jarman  brigade,  has  got  possesssion  on  this  side  of  the  lake,  up 
as  far  as  East  Creek,  where  he  is  now  posted;  while  General 
Burgoyne  has  entirely  enclosed  the  fort  on  the  t'other  side.  And 
what  is  still  more,  he  has  cut  out  a  road,  and  drawn  up  a  whole 
slew  of  cannon  clean  to  the  top  of  Mount  Defiance,  which  he  will 
have  all  mounted,  and  ready  to  pour  hell  and  thunder  down  on 
'em  in  the  fort  before  they  dream  of  it. 

"Is  it  possible  that  St.  Clair  can  have  suffered  Burgoyne  to 
get  possession  of  that  commanding  spot  for  such  a  purpose!" 
exclaimed  the  Captain.  "  I  knew,"  he  continued,  "  that  most  of 
our  officers  in  the  old  war  used  to  consider  that  mountain  inacces 
sible  with  artillery.  I,  however,  always  thought  differently,  and 
agreed,  in  this  respect,  with  Major  Putnam,  who,  I  well  rernein- 

• 

Vermont,  ami  accompanied  by  another  from  the  noted  tory,  Colonel  Philip 
Skene,  certifying  that  Remington  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  was  a 
true  Royalist.  These  papers,  together  with  a  receipt  signed  by  "  J.  Sherwood, 
Captain,"  for  two  heifers  procured  for  the  British,  by  Remington,  all  dated  about 
the  same  time,  are  supposed  to  have  been  found  on  the  person  of  this  or  other 
tories.  when  subsequently  slain  or  taken  prisoners. 

*  From  original  papers,  still  preserved,  written  by  those  whose  spelling  was 
evidently  guided  solely  by  the  common  pronunciation  of  words,  it  appears 
that  Gen.  R<Meeel  went,  to  a  considerable  extent,  at  least,  by  the  name  of 
Red  llazle. 


232  THE    GHEEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

ber,  suggested  the  project  of  getting  cannon  up  this  eminence  to 
General  Howe,  as  our  army  was  approaching  the  fort  the  day 
previous  to  the  battle  which  cost  poor  Howe  his  life.  And  had 
that  gallant  young  nobleman,  who  was  the  only  lord  of  common 
sense  whom  the  British  ever  sent  to  America,  been  spared,  the 
thing  would  have  been  done,  and  we  should  have  taken  the  for 
tress,  instead  of  drawing  off  our  army  without  effecting  anything. 
But,  as  I  said,  it  is  possible  that  St.  Glair  can  have  permitted  this 
in  an  army  approaching  from  the  north,  and  wholly  unacquainted 
with  the  surrounding  localities? " 

"  It  is  true,  anyhow;  and  if  they  don't  find  themselves  in  a 
pickle,  there  in  the  fort,  by  to-morrow  morning,  I  lose  my  guess," 
replied  the  other,  with  a  satisfaction  which  he  was  unable  wholly 
to  conceal. 

After  a  few  apparently  careless  enquiries  respecting  the  desti 
nation  of  our  travelers,  and  their  expectation  of  reaching  it, 
Remington  seemed  suddenly  to  become  convinced  that  it  would 
not  be  prudent  to  proceed  any  further  in  the  land-looking  excur 
sion,  which  he  stated  was  his  business  to  the  north,  and  announced 
his  intention  of  immediately  returning.  Accordingly,  wheeling 
round  his  horse,  and  bidding  the  company  good  day,  with  the 
remark,  that  he  should  probably  ride  rather  faster  than,  their 
team  would  travel,  he  rode  off  at  a  moderate  trot,  till  the  inter 
vening  bushes  at  the  first  turn  of  the  road  screened  him,  as  he 
supposed,  from  the  sight  of  those  he  had  just  left,  when  he  ap 
plied  his  whip,  and  dashed  forward  at  full  speed. 

"What  opinion  did  you  form  of  that  man  father?"  asked 
Miss  Sendee,  after  they  had  ridden  some  distance  in  silence. 

"  Why,  but  for  the  certificate  of  so  true  and  vigilant  a  friend 
to  the  cause  as  Woodward,  who  undoubtedly  signed  it,  I  should 
certainly  have  had  strong  suspicious  that  the  fellow  was  some 
designing  tory,"  answered  the  Captain,  indirectly,  and  with  the 
tone  of  one  still  doubting  over  evidence  which  he  could  not  re 
ject,  nor  yet  receive  as  wholly  conclusive. 

"  I  know  not,"  rejoined  the  other,  "that  I  can  give  any  good 
reasons  for  my  impressions;  but  there  was  a  certain  something 
about  the  man,  which,  from  the  first,  struck  me  unfavorably. 
And  is  it  not  possible,  that  he  may  be  secretly  in  the  interest  of 
the  enemy,  notwithstanding  his  certificate,  which,  without  being 
asked,  he  was  so  ready  to  show  ?  " 

"I  noticed  his  readiness  to  show  the  paper,"  again  replied  the 
Captain,  without  any  direct  answer  to  his  daughter's  question 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  263 

11  And  it  also  occurred  to  me  that  he  appeared  to  be  far  better 
acquainted  with  the  movements  of  the  British,  than  with  thosi 
of  our  own  army." 

"And  did  not  you  think,  Captain  Hendee,"  observed  Miss 
Heed,  u  that  he  betrayed  a  secret  pleasure,  when  relating  the 
perilous  situation  in  which  he  stated  the  American  forces  to  be 
placed  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  that  I  noticed  that  in  particular,"  said  the  Cap 
tain;  "  but  if  he  be  a  tory,  and  has  told  us  the  truth,  I  fear  he 
has  too  much  reason  to  rejoice,  I  cannot,  however,  think  that 
St.  Clair  would  fail  to  keep  open  a  way  for  retreat,  so  that  the 
garrison  shall  not  be  taken  in  any  event." 

"Here,  Neshobee,"  said  Alma,  as  the  Indian,  who  had  trav 
eled  mostly  on  foot,  keeping  generally  a  few  rods  in  advance  of 
the  horses,  now  fell  back  to  the  side  of  the  carriage;  "  you  have 
some  times  shown  yourself  a  shrewd  guesser;  and  we  will  have 
your  opinion  in  this  case.  What  did  you  think  of  the  man 
father  was  talking  with  just  now  ?  " 

"Me  guess  him  have  two  tongue — mean  some  thing  no  good," 
replied  the  native,  in  his  usual  quiet  manner.  Him  no  think  me 
see  him  through  the  bush,  when  him  ride  away  slow — then  look 
back  for  find  out  we  see  him,  then  whip — off  a  gallop!  " 

"  So  much  the  better,"  remarked  Jessy,  "  for  the  faster  he  goes, 
the  further  he  will  get  from  us." 

"Neshobee,  perhaps,  would  draw  a  different  inference,"  said 
the  Captain. 

"  Why  should  he,  father  ?"  asked  Alma. 

But  the  other,  not  willing  to  alarm  the  ladies  by  naming  his 
secret  apprehensions,  which,  after  all,  might  prove  groundless, 
made  only  some  evasive,  or  indifferent  reply,  and  became  silent. 

"  He  can  have  no  immediate  communication  with  the  tories  and 
Indians,  by  going  in  that  direction,"  resumed  Alma.  "They,  if 
we  are  rightly  informed,  are  still  far  behind  us." 

"  They  were  behind  us, "  observed  Captain  Hendee,  relapsing 
into  silence,  in  which  his  example  was  soon  imitated  by  the  rest 
of  the  company,  all  of  whom  seemed  oppressed  by  that  undefined 
sense  of  impending  danger,  which  is  some  times  felt  without  the 
inclination — on  account  of  conscious  inability,  perhaps, — of 
communicating  it  to  others. 

It  was  now  drawing  towards  sunset;  and  our  party  had  yet 
nearly  ten  miles  to  travel  before  reaching  their  proposed  destina 
tion  for  the  night,  They  had  been,  for  some  miles,  passing 


264  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

through  a  dark,  continuous  forest,  whose  unvaried  gloom  soon 
began  to  be  increased  by  the  shades,  which,  before  the  usual 
hour,  were  slowly  stealing  over  the  wilderness,  in  consequence  of 
the  broad  and  deepening  masses  of  vapor  now  gathering  along 
the  western  horizon.  And  presently,  the  low,  deep  rumbling  of 
distant  thunder,  heralding  an  approaching  shower,  reached  the 
cars  of  the  company,  and  increased  their  anxiety  to  gain  some 
opening,  at  least,  before  storm  and  darkness,  to  say  nothing  of 
their  secret  apprehensions  of  more  terrible  foes,  should  overtake 
them.  Casting  an  uneasy  glance  at  the  lurid  and  threatening 
aspect  of  the  heavens,  Captain  Hendee  applied  the  whip,  and 
was  urging  on  his  horses  to  renewed  efforts  of  speed,  when  his 
arm  was  suddenly  seized  by  the  convulsive  grasp  of  his 
daughter : 

u  Stop!  stop!  father!  "  she  exclaimed,  in  a  low,  nurried  tone, 
"  look  at  Keshobee !  There  is  danger  near  us !  " 

All  eyes  were  at  once  directed  towards  the  Indian,  who  was 
now  about  a  dozen  rods  in  front  of  the  carriage.  He  had  turned 
round,  and  with  quick  and  eager  gestures,  was  motioning  them  to 
halt.  Instantly  reining  up  the  horses,  and  bringing  them  to 
a  stand,  the  Captain,  with  the  rest  of  the  company,  continued, 
with  intense  interest  and  alarm,  silently  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the  native,  who  seemed  to  be  still  in  considerable  doubt,  either 
of  the  nature  of  the  apprehended  danger,  or  of  the  exact  point 
from  which  it  was  to  proceed.  After  standing  a  short  time  how 
ever  in  the  attitude  of  listening,  slowly  turning  his  head,  as  his 
eyes  were  keenly  searching  the  woods  around  him,  he  hastily 
started  back,  and,  pointing  to  a  dark  thicket  nearly  abreast  of  the 
carriage,  leaped  nimbly  behind  a  tree,  and  seemed  awaiting  some 
expected  result.  The  next  moment  the  shrill,  quavering  sounds  of 
the  terrific  war-whoop,  issuing  from  the  coverts  in  every  direction, 
announced  to  the  appaled  travelers  the  fearful  character  of  the 
f  oo  by  which  they  were  surrounded.  And  in  another  instant,  a 
score  of  painted  savages  leaped  from  the  bushes,  and  menacingly 
brandishing  their  tomahawks  aloft,  closely  invested  the  carriage. 
Knowing  it  would  be  utterly  useless  to  attempt  any  resistance,  the 
old  veteran  put  up  the  pistols,  which  he  had  drawn  out  on  the  first 
alarm,  and,  while  the  shuddering  females,  with  a  terrified  glance 
at  the  frightful  group  around  them,  were  burying  their  faces  in 
their  hands,  very  coolly  proceeded  by  signs,  and  such  phrases  as 
he  supposed  might  be  understood,  to  signify  to  his  assailants  that 
he  yielded  himself  and  family  as  prisoners.  The  captors,  having 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  265 

ordered  out  their  prisoners  into  the  road,  immediately  fell  to  work 
with  their  knives,  in  cutting  the  harness  from  the  horses,  each  of 
which,  when  released,  was  mounted  by  one  of  the  enemy,  and 
ridden  off  into  the  woods  ;  while  the  carriage  was  run  into  the 
nearest  thicket  and  concealed.  The  prisoners,  including  Neshobee, 
Who,  in  attempting  to  escape,  had  been  seized  and  brought  in, 
were  then  placed  in  Indian  file,  alternately  with  a  sufficient  num 
ber  of  their  captors  to  guard  the  whole,  and  marched  out  of  the 
road  the  same  way  in  which  their  horses  had  been  previously 
taken,  which  soon  brought  the  company  into  an  old,  overgrown 
path,  leading  through  the  forest  in  a  westerly  direction.  In  this 
manner  our  party  were  urged  forward  at  a  rapid  pace  for  nearly  an 
hour,  during  which,  not  a  word  was  uttered  by  either  captors  or 
captured,  with  the  exception  of  Captain  Hendee,  whose  irritable 
temper  occasionally  broke  out  in  a  half-suppressed  anathema,  as  he 
jarred  a  rheumatic  limb,  while  hobbling  along  the  rough  and 
frequently  obstructed  path.  At  length,  to  the  great  and  unex 
pected  joy  of  the  wearied  captives,  the  cheering  light  of  an  open 
ing  broke  upon  their  view,  affording  hope  that  the  fatigues,  under 
which  they  were  nearly  ready  to  sink,,  were  now  to  be  terminated 
for  the  night ;  and  that  they  were  to  be  favored  with  quarters  in 
some  kind  of  a  house,  instead  of  an  unsheltered  bed  of  earth  in  the 
wilderness,  as  they  had  anticipated.  The  opening,  consisting  of 
thirty  or  forty  acres  of  land,  and  containing  two  small  log  tene 
ments,  with  a  barn  of  similar  construction  attached  to  one  of  them, 
was  situated  along  the  margin  of  a  picturesque  pond?  embedded  in 
a  forest  of  majestic  pines.  On  entering  the  clearing,  Captain 
Hendee  instantly  perceived  from  appearances  about  the  cabins, 
that  they  had  reached  the  head-quarters  of  the  gang,  who,  as  h« 
rightly  concluded,  had  taken  possession  of  the  place  since  its 
desertion  by  the  inhabitants.  His  horses,  that  had  arrived  before 
him,  had  been  turned  out ;  and  were  now  quietly  grazing  in  the 
field  ;  while  a  large  number  of  the  enemy,  nearly  equaling  that  of 
the  party  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  capture,  were  scattered 
about  the  place,  some  bathing  in  the  pond,  some  fishing,  some 
pitching  quoits,  and  others  lounging  about  the  buildings.  As  he 
approached  this  portion  of  the  enemy,  the  Captain  soon  noticed  a 
difference  in  the  appearance  of  many  of  them,  as  contrasted  with 
that  of  such  of  his  captors  as  had  come  under  his  inspection, 
which,  with  his  acquaintance  with  the  peculiar  motions  and  de 
meanor  of  the  natives,  immediately  led  him  to  suspect  that  a  con 
siderable  part  of  the  band,  though  painted  and  habited  like  Indian^ 


266  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

were  white  men  in  disguise.  And  he  now  readily  understood  that 
he  was  indebted  for  his  present  misfortune  to  the  traitor,  Reming 
ton,  who,  being  secretly  connected  with  this  band  of  Indians  and 
tories,  had  doubtedless  been  employed  by  them  to  bring  intelli 
gence  of  the  approach  of  such  families  as  should  be  passing  along 
the  road ;  though  why  his  own  family  should  have  been  thus  par 
ticularly  marked  for  capture,  while  others  were  suffered  to  escape, 
it  did  not  at  that  time  occur  to  him. 

When  our  party,  with  their  captors,  arrived  at  the  first  cabin, 
which  they  reached  about  dark,  they  were  halted  at  the  door, 
while  a  consultation  was  held  at  some  distance  aloof  between  two 
or  three,  who  appeared  to  have  the  control  of  the  band ;  after 
which,  one  of  them  came  forward,  and,  having  first  caused  Nesh- 
obee  to  be  taken  to  the  barn,  motioned  to  the  rest  of  the  prisoners, 
except  Miss  Hendee,  who  stood  in  the  rear,  to  enter  the  house. 
Perceiving  it  was  intended  to  separate  her  from  her  friends,  the 
alarmed  maiden  suddenly  darted  by  her  immediate  keepers,  and 
attempted  to  reach  the  door  at  which  her  father  at  that  moment 
was  entering.  A  rough  hand,  however,  was  instantly  extended, 
and,  grasping  her  arm,  rudely  pulled  her  back. 

"Kill  me,  if  you  will,"  she  exclaimed,  "kill me,  but  let  me  die 
with  my  friends." 

"Prisoners  can't  always  be  choosers,  my  proud  one,"  said  the 
apparent  savage  in  good  English. 

"  It  is  Darrowl  "  said  Alma,  with  blanching  features,  and  with 
a  look  of  alarm,  which  the  brandished  tomahawk  of  the  Indian 
had  failed  to  call  forth.  "I  see  it  all,  and  know  the  design 
Death  I  fear  not ;  but  such  a  fate  1  —  Oh !  as  you  value  the 
innocence  and  eternal  peace  of  your  daughter,  protect  me,  my 
father." 

Comprehending  the  meaning  of  his  daughter,  and  appreciating 
all  her  apprehensions,  even  before  she  had  done  speaking,  the 
maddened  father  hastily  drew  a  pistol  frorL  his  pocket,  and  dis 
charged  it  full  at  the  head  of  Darrow.  The  bullet  grazed  the 
temple  of  the  astonished  ruffian,  and  his  locks  were  slightly 
singed  by  the  burning  powder;  but  he  escaped  with  no  other  in 
jury.  Recovering  from  the  shock  of  the  explosion,  he  hurriedly 
pulled  out  one  of  the  heavy  pistols  which  hung  in  his  belt, 
raised  it  to  the  breast  of  his  unflinching  opponent,  and,  with  the 
look  of  a  fiend,  was  in  the  act  of  taking  deliberate  aim,  when  the 
heroic  girl,  who  was  the  innocent  cause  of  the  strife,  suddenly 
threw  herself  between  her  father  and  the  weapon  leveled  for 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  367 

kls  destruction.  After  holding  the  deadly  implement  in  the 
same  threatening  position  nearly  a  minute,  as  if  deliberating 
whether  he  would  send  the  bullet  through  both  father  and 
daughter,  for  the  sake  of  wreaking  his  vengence  on  the  former, 
the  baulked  villain  with  an  angry  movement  thrust  the  pistol 
into  it's  place,  and  turning  to  his  men,  fiercely  exclaimed : 

"  Seize  the  damned  old  dotard!  Secure  him,  and  let  him  wait 
for  my  revenge  till  I  have  disposed  of  this  silly  jade.  She  will 
soon  find  out,  I  guess,  what  she  has  gained  by  the  rumpus,"  he 
added,  again  grasping  the  arm  of  his  recoiling  victim,  and, 
regardless  of  her  shrieks,  roughly  dragging  her  off  to  the  other 
cabin;  while,  in  obedience  to  his  orders,  his  painted  minions 
proceeded,  with  demoniac  glee,  to  bind  the  old  gentleman,  and 
thrust  him  with  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  into  the  house.  With 
the  assistance  of  his  men,  several  of  whom  he  ordered  to  attend 
him,  Darrow  soon  succeeded  in  forcing  his  half  senseless  victim 
to  the  other  cabin,  situated  on  the  shore  of  the  pond,  near  the 
western  extremity  of  the  clearing ;  when,  opening  the  door,  he 
gave  her  a  spiteful  push,  which  sent  her  reeling  through  the  en 
trance,  at  the  same  time  gruffly  exclaiming: 

"There,  madam !  there  are  your  quarters  for  the  present.  And 
let  me  just  inform  your  ladyship,  that  the  less  fuss  you  make 
about  the  matter  the  better  it  will  be  for  you." 

With  this  he  drew  the  door  to  and,  after  posting  a  guard  round 
the  house,  returned  to  the  main  body  of  his  band,  who  were  now 
assembled  round  the  first  mentioned  house,  busily  engaged  in 
cooking  their  suppers  in  the  open  air,  or  patching  up  the  leaky 
roof  of  the  log  barn,  to  protect  those  from  the  threatened  storm 
who  should  be  compelled  to  take  quarters  in  it,  in  consequence 
of  the  arrangement  which  the  leaders  had  seen  fit  to  make  of 
placing  the  prisoners  in  separate  houses. 

After  being  left  alone,  Miss  Hendee  made  an  effort  to  regain 
her  composure .  And  having  succeeded  in  a  good  degree,  she 
proceeded,  by  the  dim  twilight  yet  remaining,  to  examine  the 
interior  of  the  house,  containing  but  a  single  room  on  the  ground 
floor.  Three  or  four  old  clriirs,  a  rough  pine  table,  and  a  straw 
bed  laid  upon  a  rudely  constructed  bedstead,  with  a  couple  of 
coarse  blankets  for  covering,  constituted  all  the  visible  furniture 
of  the  cabin.  With  these  observations,  she  seated  herself  in  a 
chair,  and  endeavoured  to  think  coolly  on  the  novel  and  alarm- 
Ing  situation  in  which  she  now  found  herself  placed.  From 
Sherwood's  known  connection  ^ith  Darrow,  the  apparent  leader 


268  TUB    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

of  the  present  band,  she  had  but  little  doubt  that  the  former  was 
in  fact  the  commander  of  these  marauders,  or  at  least  the  instigator 
of  the  seizure  of  herself  and  family.  And  in  either  case,  she  was 
at  no  loss  to  understand  that  the  possession  of  her  person  was  the 
main,  if  not  the  only  object,  of  the  present  capture.  Nor  did  she 
doubt,  for  similar  reasons,  that  Sherwood  must  be  near, — proba 
bly  already  on  the  ground.  And  from  the  circumstance  of  her 
being  separated  from  her  friends,  and  confined  alone,  she  felt  but 
too  fearfully  certain  that  a  fate  was  in  reserve  for  her  on  which, 
at  the  best  she  could  hope  for,  she  shuddered  to  think.  After  she 
had  remained  in  this  situation  awhile,  listening  to  every  move 
ment  from  without,  and  starting  at  the  sound  of  every  footstep, 
lest  it  prove  the  herald  of  a  visit  from  Sherwood,  which  she  now 
every  moment  expected  would  be  paid  her,  and  to  which  she 
looked  forward  with  a  dread  that  the  anticipated  presence  of  no 
other  foe  could  impart,  the  door  was  thrown  open,  and  a  man  un 
ceremoniously  entered.  She  hastily  rose  from  her  seat  and  threw 
a  look  of  alarm  towards  the  intruder.  A  second  glance,  however, 
told  her  that  he  was  not  the  dreaded  visitor,  but  only  one  of  the 
disguised  tories  come  to  bring  her  lights  and  refreshment.  Placing 
the  torch  which  he  bore  in  the  chimney,  the  man  silently  advanced, 
and  set  a  trencher  of  coarse  food  on  the  table ;  after  which  he 
turned,  and  departed,  neither  questioning  nor  questioned,  Feel 
ing  no  inclination  to  taste  the  food,  the  hapless  girl  resumed  her 
seat,  and  again  gave  herself  up  to  the  distressing  thoughts  which 
her  situation  was  so  well  calculated  to  inspire.  The  last  gleams 
of  twilight  had  now  faded  away,  and  night  had  fallen  upon  the 
earth  with  almost  Egyptian  darkness.  There  was  a  low,  rushing 
sound  abroad,  betokening  an  approaching  conflict  of  the  elements. 
The  attention  of  Alma  being  arrested  by  these  renewed  indica 
tions  of  the  storm,  which,  for  several  hours,  appeared  to  have 
been  slowly  concentrating  its  forces  in  the  distance,  she  arose  and 
went  to  a  narrow  window,  that  opened  upon  the  dark  waters  of 
the  forest  girt  pond.  The  ominous  sounds  before  heard  had  given 
place  to  the  more  audible  murmurs  of  the  troubled  air,  which  in 
fitful  and  variant  undulations,  now  moaned  dismally  along  the 
ground,  and  now  piped,  in  brief  and  broken  strains  of  melancholy 
music,  among  the  tops  of  the  neigboring  pines.  Large,  black 
masses  of  jagged  clouds  were  hurrying  through  the  heavens, 
which  were  occasionally  made  visible  by  slight,  quivering  flashes 
of  the  electric  fires,  partially  disclosing  the  broad  outlines  of  the 
convolving  vapor  above,  and  dimly  lighting  up  the  dark  laud- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  269 

scape  of  wilds  and  waters  beneath.  While  the  maiden  was 
looking  abroad  upon  this  scene  of  gloomy  magnificence,  which 
seemed  strangely  to  harmonize  with  the  kindred  gloom  of  her 
own  sad  and  desolate  bosom,  a  bright,  but  far  off  flash  gleamed 
fiercely  athwart  her  vision.  Turning  her  eyes  to  the  quarter 
whence  it  proceeded,  she  beheld  a  distinct,  attenuated,  and  ribbon- 
ike  flame  approaching  from  a  distant  part  of  the  horizon,  and 
describing  in  its  apparently  slow,  and  crinkling  movement,  as  it 
came,  anarch  of  fearful  splendor  across  the  illuminated  heavens. 
The  next  instant  it  fell  upon  the  top  of  a  towering  dry  pine, 
standing  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  pond,  and  hurled  the  blaz 
ing  fragments  of  its  giant  trunk  in  every  direction  over  the 
woods,  and  far  into  the  hissing  and  bubbling  waters  around.  A 
single  stunning  report  followed,  and  all  without  was  again  dark 
and  silent.  Recoiling  at  the  shock  of  the  deafening  concussion, 
and  almost  blinded  by  the  intensity  of  tho  flash,  the  astounded 
girl  turned  suddenly  from  the  window,  and  attempted  to  grope 
her  way  back  to  her  seat.  Before  reaching  it,  however,  a  slight 
noise  within  the  room  arrested  her  steps.  Pressing  her  hand 
upon  her  eyes  an  instant  to  enable  her  to  discern  the  objects  in 
the  dimly  lighted  apartment,  she  sent  an  apprehensive  glance 
towards  the  door,  when  to  her  unspeakable  dismay,  she  encoun 
tered  the  basilisk  eyes  of  Sherwood,  who  was  quietly  standing 
within  the  entrance,  and  looking  upon  her  with  an  expression  in 
which  guilt,  effrontery,  and  triumph  were  singularly  blended. 

"  Leave  me!"  she  exclaimed,  as  the  other  now  began  to 
advance  towards  her;  leave  me,  sir!"  she  repeated  with  all  the 
firmness  and  decision  of  manner  she  could  command,  while  she 
gradually  retreated  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  room. 

"Why  should  I  leave  you,  captious  girl,"  he  responded  in  his 
usual  and  affectedly  meek  and  plausible  manner,  "  why  should  I 
leave  you,  or  you  desire  it,  when  I  ani  the  only  friend  to  whom 
you,  or  your  family,  can  look  for  intercession  with  those  into 
whose  power  yon  have  fallen  ?  Having  heard  of  your  misfortune, 
I  hastened  immediately  to  the  spot,  and  have  but  this  moment 
arrived." 

"  Base  dissembler!  "  said  Alma,  with  an  indignation  which,  for 
the  instant  seemed  to  overpower  every  other  feeling,  "will  you 
pretend,  sir,  that  these  are  not  all  your  doings  ?  " 

"Why — why,  I  admit,"  he  replied,  considerably  disconcerted 
at  the  question  and  pointed  manner  of  the  other,  which  led  him 
to  suppose  that  she  had  by  some  means  received  a  much  more 


270  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

certain  knowledp-e  of  his  connection  with  the  band  than  she  really 
had  ;  "  I  admit  that  these  men  belong  to  a  company  which  I  have 
a  commission  to  command.  But  I  protest,  I  have  had  nothing  to 
do  with  your  capture.  And  why  should  you  always  be  imputing 
to  me  the  worst  motives  for  every  action  I  may  perform  ?  Here, 
now,  I  come  to  befriend  and  save  you;  and  you  receive  me  only 
with  insults!  " 

"I  will  put  the  sincerity  of  your  professions  to  the  test,  sir," 
promptly  rejoined  the  other.     "  If  you  really  came  to  befriend  me 
and  have  the  power,   as  you  admit,  let  me  go  instantly  to  my  \ 
father  and  friends." 

"  Why  the  time  has  arrived,  it  strikes  me,  when  I  am  under  no 
very  particular  necessity  of  being  further  dictated,"  sneeringly 
replied  the  villain,  now  throwing  off  the  mask,  which  he  per 
ceived  was  serving  him  but  little  purpose.  "  I  have  a  certain  con 
dition  to  propose,  and  when  you  comply  with  that,  neither  you 
nor  your  family  are  longer  prisoners." 

The  heart  of  the  wretched  girl  sunk  within  her,  but  she  made 
no  reply. 

"You  have  not  forgotten,  probably,"  resumed  the  other,  "  our 
late  interview,  when  I  proposed  the  fulfilment  of  a  long  settled 
engagement. — Well,  if  you  have,  I  have  not,  nor  the  manner  in 
which  my  overtures  were  then  treated.  But  notwithstanding  all 
the  scorn  and  abuse  I  have  received  both  from  you  and  your 
father,  I  still  feel  disposed  to  allow  you  a  chance  to  fulfil  that  en 
gagement,  which,  as  a  prisoner,  and  in  my  power,  is  more  than 
you  could  reasonably  expect.  I  am  still  willing  to  make  you  my 
legal  wife ;  but  it  must  be  done  on  the  spot.  I  have  a  clergyman 
within  call  to  perform  the  ceremony.  Will  you  consent  ?  " 

"Never!"  replied  the  indignant  and  yet  un  conquered  girl, 
"What!  consent  under  such  circumstances — under  the  menaces 
here  held  forth,  and  the  .feelings  here  exhibited? — I  would  as 
soon  unite  myself  to  a  fiend !  consent  to  such  a  mockery,  intended 
only  to  disguise  violence  and  outrage,  under  the  sacred  rite  of 
marriage?  Never!  While  death  can  be  my  alternative,  O, 
never ! " 

"  But  supposing  death  can  not  be  your  alternative,  you  foolish 
girl  ?  "  said  the  miscreant  suitor  in  a  taunting  tone:  "You  will 
do  well,  perhaps,  to  bear  in  mind  that  your  person  is  already  in 
my  power;  and  that  I  am  the  one  to  name  your  alternative. 
And  I  shall  name  one,  too,  in  which  I  shall  be  likely  to  dispense 
with  the  services  of  the  parson." 


THE    GRflEN    MOVtfTAltf    BOYS.  2?i 

"  Monster  I"  exclaimed  the  aroused  maiden,  with  an  energy 
which  insulted  virtue  alone  could  have  excited,  "  begone  with 
your  polluting  presence,  lest  the  thunders  of  Heaven,  which  are 
now  angrily  rolling  over  our  heads,  strike  you  to  the  earth  in 
rengeance  for  your  meditated  villainies ! 

With  all  the  innate  baseness  and  disguised  effrontery  of  his 
nature,  Sherwood  could  not  help  quailing  under  the  withering 
scorn  and  almost  unearthly  majesty  which  accompanied  this  bold 
rebuke ;  and  unable  to  summon  the  hardihood  to  proceed  any 
further  at  present,  he  turned  towards  the  door,  muttering  as  he 
went: 

"  Well,  we  will  soon  see  who  is  to  be  balked  this  time!  Two 
hours, "  he  added,  pausing  at  the  threshhold  and  looking  back, 
without,  however,  venturing  to  raise  his  eyes  to  the  face  of  the 
other,  who  still  stood  fearlessly  confronting  him,  —  "just  two 
hours  shall  be  allowed  you  to  conclude  which  of  the  two  alterna 
tives  you  will  embrace,  and  in  making  up  your  mind,  you  may  as 
well  take  into  consideration,  that  your  father  attempted  the  life  of 
my  lieutenant,  who  will  require  such  an  inducement  as  I  alone 
can  offer  him.  to  make  him  relinquish  his  purpose  of  revenge." 

After  the  first  glad  and  grateful  sensations  of  relief,  which 
came  over  the  feelings  of  our  heroine  on  being  freed  from  the 
dreadful  presence  of  her  relentless  persecutor,  had  passed  away, 
all  the  moral  energy,  that  had  sustained  her  through  her  fearful 
trial,  forsook  her,  while,  with  it,  her  over-strained  nerves,  which  so 
powerful  an  excitement  had  braced  for  the  exigency,  gave 
way;  and  weak,  exhausted,  and  despairing,  she  tottered  across 
the  room  and  throwing  herself  upon  the  miserable  pallet,  yielded 
herself  up,  for  a  while,  to  the  dread  certainties  of  a  fate,  which 
now  even  ever-flattering  hope  could  suggest  no  way  of  escaping. 
For  her  family  she  felt  no  great  apprehensions  of  any  fate  much 
more  severe  than  that  which  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of  ordinary 
prisoners ;  since  the  present  contest,  as  she  was  aware,  had  so 
far  been  conducted,  wherever  the  Indians  had  been  employed,  on 
altogether  different  principals  from  the  preceding  wars  in  this 
country.  And  contenting  themselves  with  plunder,  the  savages 
had  generally,  on  making  prisoners,  delivered  them  over  unharm 
ed  to  their  white  allies,  when  such  only  as  had  been  found  in 
arms  were  retained,  while  the  rest,  especially  females  and  the 
young  and  aged,  were  soon  dismissed  for  their  homes.  Nor 
could  she  believe  that  either  Darrow  or  Sherwood  really  intended 
as  they  had  threatened,  to  make  her  father  an  exception  for 


^2  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

an  act  which,  however  hasty  it  might  have  been,  had  resulted  in 
no  injury.  But  all  these  considerations  could,  in  her  present 
peculiar  situation,  be  of  no  avail  to  herself.  An  immediate  escape, 
or  some  sudden  rescue,  were  apparently  the  only  means  of  snatch- 
ing  her  from  the  impending  doom.  And  yet  how  were  either  of 
these  to  be  effected  ?  Any  attempt  to  get  from  the  house, 
guarded  as  it  was  by  posted  sentries,  the  sound  of  whose  footsteps 
frequently  reached  her  ear,  she  knew  would  be  utterly  useless. 
Equally  futile  also  must  be  the  hope  of  any  rescue  till  long  after 
her  fate  would  be  decided.  No  other  resource,  therefore,  remain 
ed  to  her  but  to  face  the  danger,  as  terrible  as  it  was  to  her,  even 
in  the  least  abhorrent  of  the  alternatives  which  had  been  set 
before  her,  and  persevere  in  the  determination  she  had  already 
announced  of  resistance  unto  death.  And  she  earnestly  besought 
the  great  Protector  of  the  innocent  and  injured  to  arm  her  with 
strength  and  fortitude  to  meet  the  coming  trial,  or  interfere,  in  his 
mercy,  to  save  her  from  its  terrors  and  perils. 

While  the  mind  of  the  almost  frantic  girl  was  thus  painfully 
engrossed,  as  she  was  reclining  on  the  bed  with  her  face  buried 
in  the  clothes,  a  noise,  differing  from  any  thing  she  had  before 
heard,  and  proceeding  from,  some  point  above,  but  seemingly 
neither  exactly  within  nor  without  the  building,  had  several  times 
reached  her  ear.  And  now  it  became  too  distinct  net  to  attract 
her  particular  notice.  Startled,  though  as  yet  not  seriously 
alarmed,  she  hastily  rose  and  endeavored  to  ascertain  the  nature 
of  the  sounds  that  had  disturbed  her.  The  rain,  which  had  now 
for  some  time  been  heavily  pouring  to  the  earth,  had  extinguished 
the  fire,  and  while  utter  darkness  pervaded  the  room,  nothing 
was  to  be  heard  but  the  ceaseless  roar  of  the  descending  torrents. 
At  length,  however,  the  noise  was  repeated.  It  appeared  to  pro- 
coed  from  the  flue  of  the  chimney,  down  which,  it  soon  became 
evident,  that  some  thing  possessing  life  and  motion,  was  slowly 
and  cautiously  descending  into  the  room ;  but  whether  it  was  a 
man,  or  wild  beast,  she  was  unable  to  determine.  Presently  the 
mysterious  object  seemed  to  reach  the  hearth.  And,  in  a  short 
time,  the  dark  outlines  of  a  seemingly  shapeless  figure  became  dis 
cernible  to  the  perplexed,  and  now  thoroughly  frightened  maiden. 
Tier  excited  imagination  instantly  took  wing,  and  in  the  bewilder 
ment  of  the  moment,  the  motionless  object  swelled  into  a  ferocious 
monster,  preparing  to  clutch  her  in  his  horrid  embrace.  A  strange 
feeling  of  undefined  fear  and  dread  took  possession  of  her  bosom, 
and  seemed  to  paralyze  all  her  faculties.  She  tried  to  speak,  but 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  273 

could  utter  no  sound— to  move,  but  her  limbs  refused  to  do  their 
office-  while  a  peculiar,  cold,  curdling  sensation,  commencing 
with  the  crown  of  her  head,  settled  over  her,  converting  her  whole 
system  into  a  helpless,  inanimate,  and  frozen  mass,  alike  incapable 
of  thought  and  action.  At  that  instant  a  vivid  flash  of  lightning 
lit  up  the  room  with  the  brightness  of  the  noon-day's  sun,  and 
broke  the  spell  that  had  so  strangely  enthralled  her  senses:  for, 
equally  to  her  joy  and  surprise,  she  beheld,  in  the  object  of  her 
alarm,  no  other-than  her  faithful  friend  Neshobee,  who,  uncertain 
whether  the  room  might  not  contain  some  of  the  enemy  as  well  as 
his  mistress,  whom  he  knew  to  be  confined  here,  had  squatted  in 
the  fire  place,  after  his  descent,  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  the 
fact  before  he  should  speak  or  advance. 

"  Umph  ?  "  uttered  the  Indian,  apparently  nearly  as  much  re 
lieved  as  his  mistress,  at  the  mutual  disclosure.  "  Missus  Alma 
speak  very  no  loud,"  he  continued,  in  a  half  whisper,  as  he  glided 
noiselessly  forward  to  her  side,  and  laid  his  hand  on  her  arm  in 
token  of  caution.  "Them  three  tory,  what  stand  for  watch,  all 
gone  fore  side  for  get  out  of  the  rain,  and  so  no  see,  Neshobee 
climb  up  back  side  and  come  down  chimney.  But  Missus  talk 
soft,  them  stand  close  up  side,  hark  um,  hear  urn,  catch  urn 
Xeshobee." 

"  How  fares  it  with  my  father  and  the  girls — are  they  still  in  the 
other  house,  and  yet  unharmed  ?  "  eagerly  whispered  Alma. 

"  All  um  there.  Them  tory  and  Indian  all  in  the  barn  when  the 
rain  come.  Leak  down,  make  um  jump,  crowd  thick,  so  no  see 
Neshobee  creep  away.  Me  go  back  side  tother  house,  peep  through 
crack,  see  um  there  when  flash  come  bright.  Cappen  hands  all  tie 
tight.  Him  look  sorry.  Three  tother  girls  lay  on  straw  in  corner — 
cry  much — all  look  very  scare." 

"And  what  is  to  become  of  us,  Neshobee,"  asked  Alma,  mourn 
fully,  as  she  brushed  away  a  tear,  elicited  by  the  Indian's  brief 
but  graphic  and  touching  description  of  the  situation  of  her 
friends. 

"  Neshobee  no  get  in  there  for  help  Cappen  and  them.  But  me 
help  Missus  Alma  up  chimney,  get  out  and  they  no  hear  so  long 
the  rain  pour  hard." 

"  No,  no,  ISTeshobee,  it  is  impossible,"  replied  Alma,  after  re 
flecting  a  moment  on  the  proposal  of  her  friend,  who  had  run 
euch  risks  to  rescue  her.  Could  I  succeed  in  getting  out  upon  the 
house,  my  light  dress,  if  nothing  elso,  would  betray  us  to  the 
gua»\V,  :md  we  should  both  be  taken.  And  even  could  I  escape, 


S74  THE    GREEK    MOVNTAItf    ]30YS, 

how  could  I  withstand  an  exposure  all  night  in  the  woods  to  this 
dreadful  storm  ?  No,  Neshobee,  leave  me  to  my  fate,  which  will 
probably  be  decided  long  before  you  can  be  the  means  of  our 
rescue.  But  my  poor  father  and  the  girls  you  may  perhaps  be  in 
strumental  in  saying.  Then  go,  Neshobee. — If  you  succeed  in 
escaping  from  this  place,  proceed  directly  to  our  army  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  tell  them  that  we  are  prisoners  to  Sherwood  and 
Darrow,  with  a  band  of  tories  and  Indians.  Tell  Colonel  War- 
rington,  or  Captain  Selden,  that  father's  life  is  threatened — 
that  I — O,  heavens !  but  let  my  situation  be  passed  over.  And 
should  they  send  a  force  to  deliver  us,  as  I  know  they  will,  you 
can  guide  it  to  the  spot.  Now  don't  hesitate  to  leave  me,  my 
faithful  friend, — to  leave  me  to  the  care  of  HeaveD,"  she  added, 
laying  her  hand  on  the  other's  shoulder  and  gently  pushing  him 
towards  the  avenue  by  which  he  descended  into  the  room.  "  Don't 
delay  an  instant.  Go,  and  I  will  ask  the  blessing  of  a  good 
Providence  to  speed  you  on  your  way." 

"Me  go,"  laconically  responded  the  native,  vanishing  from  the 
sight  of  his  mistress  in  the  darkness,  and  silently  ascending  the 
chimney. 

After  anxiously  listening  a  few  moments  to  the  cautious  egress 
of  her  messenger,  and  satisfying  herself  that  he  had  reached  the 
ground,  and  escaped  undiscovered,  the  unhappy  girl  once  more 
returned  to  her  homely  couch, — not  there,  however,  to  find  repose 
or  any  alleviation  of  the  woes  that  so  deeply  oppressed  her  feel 
ings.  The  distracting  apprehensions,  from  which  her  mind  had 
been  in  some  measure  diverted  by  the  presence  of  her  humble 
friend,  now,  on  his  departure,  returned  with  ten-fold  force  to  her 
mind.  And  a  feeling  of  utter  loneliness  and  desolation  took  pos 
session  of  her  desponding  bosom.  Conscious  that  the  time  set  by 
Sherwood  for  his  return,  to  execute  one  of  the  dreadful  alterna 
tives  with  which  he  had  brutally  menaced  her,  was  now  nearly 
at  hand,  and  her  feelings  becoming,  at  the  maddening  thought 
too  intense  to  permit  her  to  remain  longer  quiet,  she  arose,  and 
again  took  her  station  at  the  little  window.  The  storm  cloud 
still  girt  darkly  and  heavily  the  whole  visible  horizon ;  and  the 
elements  were  in  fearful  commotion.  The  howling  of  the  blast, 
as  it  swept  over  the  vexed  wilderness,  attended  by  the  crash  of 
falling  trees,  the  deep,  but  varying  roar  of  the  deluging  torrents 
of  wind-driven  rain,  and  loud  over  all,  the  terrific  peals  of 
bursting  thunder,  preceded  by  flashes  of  lightning  that  seemed. 
to  envelope  earth  and  heaven  in  a  blaze,  came  mingling  on  the 


THE    GHfiE$    MO&tfTAty   BOT8.  S7B 

senses  in  awful  tumult.  And  yet  the  scene,  as  awful  as  it  was, 
and  would  have  been  to  her  under  ordinary  circumstances,  had 
no  terrors  for  the  wretched  captive  now ;  — nay,  as  the  forked 
lightnings  were  leaping  from  cloud  to  cloud,  and  darting  to  the 
earth  in  terrific  gambols  around  her,  she  felt  a  strange  pleasure 
in  their  fearful  proximity.  And,  regarding  them  as  the  instru 
ments  of  Heaven,  which  might,  perhaps,  be  commissioned  for 
her  deliverance,  she  often,  during  that  dreadful  hour,  under  the 
wild  impulses  of  maidenly  terror  and  despair,  with  which  the 
recurring  thoughts  of  her  situation  filled  her,  involuntarily 
stretched  forth  her  hand  towards  the  deeply  charged  clouds,  as 
if  to  invoke  the  fatal  shaft  to  descend,  and  snatch  her  from  a 
doom  to  which  death  was  a  boon  of  mercy.  But  that  Heaven  to 
which  she  was  looking  to  relieve  her  thus,  had  reserved  her  for 
another  fate:  the  storm  rolled  heavily  away,  and  left  her  beau 
teous  form  unscathed.  The  rain  at  length  ceased;  and  the  light 
nings,  as  they  played  along  the  black  parapet  of  clouds,  that  lay 
piled  in  the  east,  shone  with  less  dazzling  fierceness,  and  only  to 
show  the  ravages  which  the  tempest  had  left  behind.  As  mute 
and  desponding,  the  lovely  captive  stood  with  her  eyes  still  va 
cantly  riveted  on  the  receding  storm,  she,  during  the  continu 
ance  of  a  bright  and  lingering  flash  of  lightning,  cast  her  eye 
obliquely  towards  the  quarters  of  her  enemies,  when  she  caught 
a  glimpse  of  a  man  picking  his  way  along  the  half  flooded  path 
leading  to  her  cabin,  whom  she  instantly  recognized  to  be  the 
dreaded  Sherwood.  A  deadly  sickness  came  over  her,  her  brain 
begun  to  whirl,  and  she  sunk  senseless  on  the  floor. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


"  For  freedom's  battle  once  begun, 
Bequeathed  from  bleeding  sire  to  son, 
Though  baffled  oft,  is  ever  won." 


WHILE  the  incidents  last  described  were  transpiring,  an  event 
occurred,  which  spread  consternation  and  alarm  over  all  the 
neighboring  country.  This  was  the  unexpected  evacuation  of 


270  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOYS. 

the  important  fortress  of  Ticonderoga,  to  which  the  Americans 
seemed  to  have  confidently  looked  as  a  barrier  which  was  to  in 
terpose  an  effectual  check  to  the  further  progress  of  Burgoyne 
in  that  quarter.  But  whatever  may  have  been  said  of  the  re- 
ruissness  of  General  St.  Clair,  in  suffering  the  enemy  to  gain 
those  advantages  which  compelled  him,  for  the  salvation  of  his 
army,  to  evacuate  that  post,  and  whatever  disasters  were  imme 
diately  occasioned  by  the  movement,  the  final  consequences 
which  resulted  from  the  event,  proved  highly  auspicious  to  the 
American  arms:  For  while  it  inspired  the  British  General  with 
an  undue  confidence  of  success,  and  caused  him  to  push  rashly 
into  the  heart  of  the  country,  it  at  once  aroused  the  Americans 
from  the  apathy,  with  which  they  seemed  to  have  viewed  the 
approach  of  the  invading  army,  and  kindled  up  the  flagging 
spirit  of  patriotism  to  a  pitch  of  enthusiasm  that  soon  brought 
the  rallying  bands  of  the  hardy  yeomen  of  the  north  to  the  post 
of  danger,  and  led  to  that  scries  of  brilliant  achievements  which 
terminated  in  the  entire  overthrow  of  this  formidable  array  of 
British  power. 

Scarcely  had  St.  Clair  succeeded,  under  cover  of  darkness,  in 
reaching  the  eastern  shore  of  the  lake,  and  getting  his  army  in 
motion  for  the  interior,  before  an  active  pursuit  was  commenced 
by  General  Frazier,  with  a  large  detachment  of  British  regu 
lars,  followed  by  General  Reidesel  with  most  of  the  Bruns 
wick  forces.  The  Americans,  however,  kept  some  miles  in 
advance  of  the  enemy  through  the  day ;  and  St.  Clair,  with  the 
Qiain  body  of  his  troops,  pushed  forward  that  night  as  far  as 
Castleton,  leaving  the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  consisting  of 
about  a  thousand  men  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Warring- 
ton  on  the  road  some  distance  behind,  where  he  encamped  at  a 
farm  house  within  three  miles  of  the  place  which  was  the  same 
night  occupied  by  the  lawless  gang  of  Sherwood  and  their  unfor 
tunate  captives,  all  parties  being  equally  ignorant  of  their  vicinity 
to  each  other. 

With  this  glance  at  the  situation  of  our  army,  with  whose 
movements  were  rnore,or  less  closely  linked  the  destinies  of  all 
those  whose  individual  fortunes  we  have  undertaken  to  follow, 
we  will  now  go  on  with  our  tale,  which  the  crowding  events  of 
the  next  twenty-four  hours  were  destined  to  bring  to  its  catas 
trophe.  And  leaving  our  fair  and  persecuted  captive  in  UK; 
happy  state  of  insensibility,  in  which  we  last  described  her,  we 
will  now  follow  her  trustv  messenger  on  his  adventurous  way  to 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  277 

the  American  army,  which  both  he  and  his  mistress  supposed  was 
still  posted  at  Ticonderoga,  some  twenty  miles  distant. 

Happily  succeeding  in  leaving  the  cabin  and  gaining  an  adjoin 
ing  field,  undiscovered  by  the  guards,  Neshobec,  after  stopping  a 
moment  to  pitch  his  course,  plunged  directly  into  the  tangled  and 
dripping  wilderness  lying  alongthe  northern  borders  of  the  pond. 
Pausing  at  every  considerable  interval  of  darkness,  that  still 
almost  impenetrably  shrouded  the  earth,  and  darting  forward  by 
the  views  which  the  fast  flashing  lightning  afforded,  he  threaded 
the  difficult  mazes  of  the  forest  with  a  rapidity  rarely  attainable 
by  any  but  natives  of  the  wilds.  Passing  round  the  western 
extremity  of  the  pond,  and  bending  his  course  in  a  more  south 
erly  direction,  an  hour's  traveling  brought  him  to  the  great  mili 
tary  road  leading  directly  to  the  lake.  The  storm  having  now 
ceased,  he  hastily  stripped  off  his  drenched  garments,  wrung  out 
the  water  to  enable  him  to  run  with  more  expedition,  reinvested 
himself,  and  again  set  off  at  a  long  trot  down  the  road  towards 
his  supposed  destination.  It  was  to  be  his  fortune,  however,  to 
travel  but  a  short  part  of  the  distance  for  which  he  had  prepared 
himself:  For,  after  proceeding  about  a  mile  along  the  now  un 
obstructed  way  with  a  speed  to  which  his  feverish  anxiety  lent 
wings,  he  came  to  a  large  opening,  which  presented  the  unex 
pected  appearance  of  numerous  dimly-burning  fires  scattered 
through  an  extensive  field.  Stopping  short  at  a  spectacle  so 
unusual  under  the  present  circumstances,  the  cautious  native 
immediately  put  his  ear  to  the  earth,  and  listened  long  and 
intently.  A  low,  mingled  hum,  as  of  a  hushed  and  reposing 
multitude,  rose  in  a  scarce  perceptible  murmur  on  the  air;  and 
soon  the  slight  jar  of  measured  footsteps,  resembling  the  distant 
tread  of  slowly-pacing  sentinels,  became  distinguishable  to  his 
acute  senses.  No  longer  doubting  the  presence  of  an  encamped 
army  in  the  opening,  but  wholly  ignorant  of  its  character,  he 
cautiously  crept  forward,  rising,  from  time  to  time,  to  discover,  if 
possible,  without  exposing  himself,  whether  it  was  a  friendly  or 
hostile  force,  which  he  had  thus  unexpectedly  encountered. 
Keeping  withia  the  range  of  a  stump,  or  some  object  by  the 
road-side,  to  screen  his  approach,  he  crawled  along  about  a  dozen 
rods,  and  again  paused  for  a  more  careful  observation.  The 
douds  were  now  rapidly  breaking  away,  and  in  the  increasing 
light,  he  was  soon  enabled  to  trace  the  outlines  of  a  sentry, 
rt. i  IK  ling  motionless  as  a  post  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  but  a  few 
rods  ahead.  While  he  thus  lay,  tasking  his  vision  to  discover 


m  THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

something  in  the  dress,  arms,  or  appearance  of  the  man,  irom 
which  the  fact  he  sought  to  know  might  be  inferred,  the  waning 
moon  shone  out  through  the  parting  clouds,  and  disclosed  to  the 
startled  Indian  the  British  uniform  of  the  sentry,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  numerous  tents  of  the  enemy  dotting  the  fields  in 
the  distance  beyond.  The  first  thought  of  Neshobee,  on  making 
this  alarming  discovery,  was  to  secure  a  retreat  from  this  danger 
ous  vicinity  to  the  sentinel,  though  he  was  wholly  at  a  loss  what 
course  he  should  now  take  to  find  those  to  whom  he  had  been 
despatched  for  succor.  But  his  doubts  in  this  respect  were  set  at 
rest  by  information  he  the  next  moment  obtained  from  an  unex 
pected  quarter:  For,  while  he  lay  anziously  watching  a  cloud 
that  was  nearing  the  moon,  and  promised  in  a  few  moments  again 
to  obscure  her  light,  which  now  made  it  hazardous  for  him  to 
move  from  his  position,  a  soldier  approached  to  relieve  the  one 
on  guard. 

"  "Well,  Tom,"  said  the  soldier  just  arrived,  "  you  have  had  a 
devil  of  a  drenching  this  bout,  havn't  you  ?  Why !  what !  has 
the  man  turned  to  stone  ?  Say,  Tom,  why  don't  you  answer 
me?" 

u  O,  yes,  yes,"  replied  the  other,  arousing  himself  from  his 
stupor,  "yes,  wet  enough — a  ghastly  time  I've  had  of  it,  Jerry, 
since  I've  been  out  here.  Hang  me,  if  I  haven't  got  quite  enough 
of  this  chasing  the  Yankees  into  the  bush.  I  wish  'twas  over. 
But  do  you  know  the  orders  for  to-morrow  ?  " 

"Why  to  chase  the  d — n'd  rebels  till  we  take  them,  besure. 
Our  Captain  has  just  returned  from  General  Frazier's  quarters, 
and  he  says  they  have  a  sort  of  go-between,  by  the  name  of 
Remington,  who  came  directly  from  the  Yankee  camp,  and 
brought  word  that  the  main  body  of  the  rebels  have  got  about 
ten  miles  ahead,  while  a  regiment  or  two,  under  a  Colonel  War- 
rington,  are  encamped  within  a  league  of  us  on  the  road.  And 
the  plan  is,  I  believe,  to  move  on,  at  daylight,  to  the  attack  of 
the  nearest  force.  And  if  the  main  body  return  to  the  rescue, 
why,  we  have  General  Reidesel,  with  a  plenty  of  Hessians,  a 
few  miles  behind,  to  back  us;  so  very  likely  we  may  get  a 
tolerable  bush  fight  of  it,  before  it  is  over,  particularly  as  this 
Warrington,  they  say,  is  a  fellow  of  grit ;  and  his  men  are  mostly 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  who  have  more  of  the  regular-built  bull 
dog  about  'em,  than  any  thing  the  Yankees  have  got  in  their 
ragamuffin  army." 

*'  Well,  Jerry,"  replied  the  other,  in  accents  partaking  some 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  27* 

what  of  the  doleful,  "  I  can't  exactly  tell  how  'tis,  but  if  we  do 
have  a  battle,  I  have  a  notion  I  shan't  live  through  it." 

"  Why,  what  makes  you  think  so,  Tom  ?  " 

14  O,  I  don't  know — I  feel  it  creeping  over  me,  and  that  ain't 
all,  I  am  very  sartain — 'deed  I  could  swear  to  it — that  I  saw  a 
shape  out  there  in  the  road  yonder,  a  little  while  ago,  that  rose 
up  right  out  of  the  ground,  and  then  stood  kinder  quivering  a 
minute,  and  vanished.  I  expect  it  was  my  spirit,  Jerry." 

"  Pooh !  man,  your  liver  must  have  got  water-soaked  here  in 
the  rain,  to  make  you  down  in  the  mouth  about  such  whimsies. 
Here,  take  a  suck  at  my  canteen.  There !  now  back  to  your  tent, 
your  pluck  will  be  up  by  morning." 

Animated  by  the  cheering  intelligence  he  had  gathered  from 
the  conversation  above  detailed,  every  word  of  which  had  reached 
his  attentive  ears,  the  native  slowly  and  noiselessly  withdrew  from 
the  spot  in  the  now  favoring  darkness,  till  fairly  beyond  the 
sight  and  hearing  of  the  guard ;  when  he  began  rapidly  to  retrace 
his  steps  along  the  road  towards  the  American  encampment,  to 
which  we  will  now  repair  in  anticipation  of  his  arrival. 

It  was  a  calm  and  cloudless  morning  that  ushered  in  the  day 
so  long  remembered  in  Vermont  for  the  sanguinary  conflict  of 
Hubbardton,  which  proved  so  destructive  to  the  boastful  and 
haughty  foe,  while  it  widely  scattered  the  weeds  of  woe  through 
out  her  infant  settlement.*  The  sun  had  just  burst  over  the  long 
range  of  eastern  mountains,  whose  broad,  empurpled  sides  lay 
looming  in  the  distance,  and  a  thousand  sparkling  exhalations 
were  rising  from  the  storm-beaten  emcampment  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys.  Though  deeply  worn  and  fatigued  by  the  forced 
march  of  the  previous  day,  and  drenched  to  the  skin  through  the 
night,  yet  the  troops  were  already  in  motion,  eagerly  engaged  ia 
preparing  themselves  for  whatever  emergency  might  follow,  and 
while  hastily  snatching  their  morning's  repast,  many  an  eye  was 
turned  anxiously  towards  the  quarters  of  their  gallant  com 
mander,  where  it  was  understood  a  council  of  war  was  being 

*  There  was  no  engagement  in  our  Revolution,  perhaps,  which  exhibited  such 
determined  energy  and  resolution  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  as  the  battle  of 
Hubbardton ;  and  yet  there  was  no  one,  of  which  the  results  are  more 
obscurely  or  incorrectly  stated  by  our  leading  historians— most  of  them  making 
our  loss  from  200  to  300,  and  that  of  the  British  from  100  to  200.  But  if  they 
had  reversed  the  statement  they  would  not  even  then  have  done  justice  to  our  gal 
lant  troops.  Ethan  Allen,  in  his  narrative,  says:  ''Our  loss  was  about  30  killed, 
and  that  of  the  enemy  amounted  to  300  killed  including  a  Major  Grant.  The 
enemy's  loss  I  learned  from  the  confession  of  their  own  officers  when  a  prisoner 
among  them.  I  heard  them  likewise  complain  that  the  Green  Mountain  Boys 
'took  sight.'1'  After  a  diligent -inquiry  I  am  satisfied  that  Colonel  Allen's  stale* 
flaent  is  substantially  a  correct  one- 


280  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAfN  BOYS. 

held,  to  determine  whether  to  continue  their  flight  after  the  main 
army  or  remain  to  give  battle  to  the  pursuing  enemy.  At  length 
the  officers  were  seen  emerging  from  the  quarters  in  question, 
and  with  quickened  steps  returning  to  their  respective  corps, 
while  the  increased  activity  which  succeeded  throughout  the 
camp  indicated  the  importance  of  the  result  now  communicated. 

"Well,  Captain  Sclden,"  said  Warrington,  as  rousing  himself 
from  the  reverie  into  which  he  had  fallen  after  the  council  had 
broken  up,  he  looked  around  and  observed  that  his  confidential 
friend  now  remained  with  him  in  the  apartment,  "  what  do  you 
think  of  the  argument  of  Hale,  and  those  who  so  strenuously 
opposed  our  proposition  of  making  a  stand  against  the  enemy  ?  " 

"Quite  as  well  of  their  arguments  as  their  patriotism, 
Colonel,"  promptly  answered  the  person  addressed.  "Shakes 
peare  never  better  evinced  his  knowledge  of  the  human  heart 
than  when  he  put  into  the  mouth  of  one  of  his  secretly  craven 
boasters  the  salvo  argument  that  '  discretion  is  the  better  part  of 
valor.'" 

"The  inference  is  a  sharp  one,  Captain,  but  I  fear  me,  too  well 
deserved.  There  was  one  thing,  however,  which  gratified  me : 
not  a  single  officer  from  the  Green  Mountains  opposed  the  prop 
osition.  And  it  is  so  with  the  troops  of  my  regiment.  I  was 
out  among  them  this  morning  by  daylight  to  gather  their  feelings 
on  this  subject;  and,  though  the  poor  fellows  were  wet,  weary, 
and  war-worn,  I  found  our  Green  Mountain  Boys  universally 
burning  for  the  encounter." 

"There  is  no  doubt  of  it.  But  after  all,  Colonel,  I  fear  these 
preachers  of  prudence  were  prophesying  by  instinct,  when  they 
told  us  we  had  a  bloody  day's  work  before  us.  The  force  we  are 
sure  to  encounter  is,  perhaps,  more  than  double  our  own;  and  we 
know  not  how  many  more  are  on  their  way  to  reinforce  them." 

"I  am  aware  of  all  this.  But  as  soldiers  can  we  longer  endure 
the  thought  of  being  driven  before  the  foe? — as  citizens  and 
settlers  of  these  our  mountain  homes,  can  we  see  the  enemy 
marching  into  the  heart  of  our  country,  and  strike  no  blow  for  its 
protection  ?  As  little  as  the  people  expected  our  evacuation  of 
Ticonderoga,  much  less  will  they  expect  us  to  continue  a  flight 
which  will  soon  leave  the  whole  settlement  exposed  to  the  ravages 
of  the  merciless  minions  of  Burgoync.  With  my  own  regiment 
alone,  I  can  make  a  successful  stand  against  the  force  which  im 
mediately  menaces  us  with  an  attack ;  and  if  more  arrive,  the  re- 


TI1E    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS.  281 

reinforcements  which  St.  Clair  will  surely  send  u?,  when  our  ex 
press  shall  reach  him,  will  be  in  season  for  the  rescue.  t 

"  Gen.  St.  Clair  tnay  send  us  a  reinforcement,  but — " 

"  May  1  he  must!  And  if  he  docs,  and  will  send  another  force 
round  into  the  rear  to  cut  off  the  enemy's  retreat,  they  are  all  ours 
before  sunset.  Think  you  Ethan  Allen  would  be  found  longer 
skulking  before  the  foe,  or,  if  in  St.  Glair's  command,  would 
suffer  a  man  of  them  to  return  to  the  lake  alive,  or  uncaptured  1 " 

"Never!  but  Ethan  Allen  is  not  our  general.  And  the  man 
who  suffered  the  enemy  to  get  possession  of  every  commanding 
post  round  Ticenderoga  till  we  had  good  reason  to  evacuate,  may 
still,  like  some  of  his  humble  imitators  in  our  council  just  now, 
think  it  prudent  to  take  care  of  himself,  and  leave  us  to  do  the 
same." 

At  this  moment  the  serjeant  of  the  guard  entered  the  door. 

"  Colonel,"  said  he,  "we  have  taken  a  prisoner  this  morning, 
who  came  from  the  direction  of  the  enemy ;  and  though  he  pro 
fesses  fair,  and  pretends  business  with  you,  yet  having  no  pass,  or 
papers  of  any  kind,  and  refusing  to  give  any  further  account  of 
himself,  we  have  kept  him  under  guard,  till  we  thought  you  might 
have  leisure  to  examine  him." 

"What  is  he,— a  British  soldier?  " 

"No — an  Indian,  or  part  Indian,  I  should  think." 

"  Bring  him  here,  instantly,"  said  Warrington,  with  an  expres 
sion  of  interest. 

The  sergeant  accordingly  left  the  apartment,  and  in  a  few  mo 
ments  returned  with  Neshobee  by  his  side,  when,  upon  an  intima 
tion  from  his  superior,  he  withdrew,  leaving  his  prisoner  and  the 
two  officers  by  themselves. 

"  Neshobee,  my  good  fellow,"  exclaimed  Warrington,  advancing 
to  the  native,  and  shaking  him  cordially  by  the  hand,  "  I  hope 
they  have  not  misused  you ;  but  how  came  you  here  ?  " 

"Me  come  for  purpose  find  you.     Missus  Alma — " 

"Alma  Hendee!  where  is  she?"  eagerly  interrupted  the 
Colonel. 

The  Indian  then  related  to  his  astonished  auditors,  in  his  pecu 
liar  manner,  the  particulars  of  the  capture  of  the  Hendee  family, 
and  all  of  the  subsequent  occurrences  which  had  come  to  his 
knowledge  till  he  reached  the  American  encampment. 

"Execrable  villain1"  exclaimed  Warrington,  with  unusual 
bitterness,  after  a  few  questions  and  answers  respecting  the  num 
ber  and  equipment  of  Sherwood's  gang  had  been  rapidly  ex- 


282  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

changed  between  the  excited  officers  and  the  native,  "  execrable 
villain !  but  his  triumph  shall  be  a  short  one !  " 

"God  grant  it!  "  responded  Selden  with  the  same  spirit,  "but 
what  do  you  propose,  Colonel  ?  " 

"To  proceed  instantly  to  their  camp,  storm  it,  and  rescue  the 
captives  within  this  hour — if  possible,  within  this  very  hour!  " 

"And  you  are  willing  to  risk,  even  at  this  emergency,  the 
absence  of  men  enough  to  accomplish  it  ?  " 

"I  must, — as  much  as  we  may  need  them,  I  must  risk  it, 
And  would  to  God,  that  my  duties  would  permit  me  to  head  them 
against  this  farrago  of  fiends  incarnate.  Will  you  perform  the 
service,  Captain  Selden  ?  " 

"Most  joyfully." 

"  Go  then.  Take  your  company,  including  Jones  and  as  many 
of  his  scouts  as  you  think  best.  If  you  succeed,  furnish  the 
family  with  an  escort  to  a  place  of  safety,  or  bring  them  to  the 
rear  of  the  army,  as  circumstances  shall  dictate. — Stay,  Selden, 
a  moment,"  he  continued  approaching  the  side  of  the  spirited  and 
impatient  young  officer,  and  speaking  in  a  low  confidential  tone 
"I  am  well  aware  that  this  may  be  a  day  of  danger — of  death 
to  many  of  us — Tell  that  lovely  girl  her  frank  and  noble  expla 
nation,  has  been  received  and  appreciated — that  my  heart  has 
ever  been,  and  is  now  doubly  hers — that  if  I  survive,  I  will 
soon  be  by  her  side,  and  if  I  fall,  my  last  thoughts  will  be  upon 
her." 

At  that  instant  the  quickly  successive  reports  of  a  dozen  mus 
kets  in  the  direction  of  the  expected  enemy  broke  the  stillness  of 
the  morning,  announcing  a  collision  between  the  opposing  out 
posts,  and  the  battle  at  hand. 

"  To  arms!  "  exclaimed  the  commander,  rushing  out  into  the 
open  air,  and  leaping  upon  his  charger  that,  caparisoned  and 
ready  for  his  gallant  rider,  stood  impatiently  pawing  the  ground 
at  the  door,  "  to  arms,  instantly  to  arms!  " 

As  the  loud  and  thrilling  tones  of  the  well  known  voice  of 
their  idolized  leader  rung  through  the  camp,  falling  upon  the 
ears  of  the  aroused  and  excited  troops,  every  man  sprang  for 
his  musket,  and  the  busy  quiet,  that  one  moment  before  had 
reigned  through  the  tented  lines,  was  at  once  changed  into  the 
noisy  din  of  preparation.  Captain  Selden,  in  accordance  with 
the  arrangement  just  settled  between  him  and  his  superior,  hastily 
formed  his  company,  briefly  informed  his  men  of  the  object  of 
their  proposed  expedition,  and  amidst  the  clangor  of  rattling 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  283 

and  rolling  drums,  mingled  with  the  stern,  brief  words  of 
command,  filed  off  rapidly  across  the  field  towards  the  northern 
forest,  and,  with  Neshobee  as  guide,  soon  disappeared  within  its 
borders. 

Let  us  now  return  to  the  captured.  The  first  object  that 
saluted  the  eyes  of  our  hapless  heroine,  on  recovering  her  con 
sciousness,  was  the  dimly  seen  figure  of  Sherwood  standing  in  the 
doorway,  in  the  attitude  of  one  whose  attention  on  entering  had 
been  suddenly  arrested  by  some  unexpected  sight  or  sound  be 
hind  him.  The  next  instant  a  man  on  horseback  came  dashing 
up  furiously  to  the  spot.  Hastily  closing  the  door  behind  him, 
Sherwood  immediately  advanced  to  the  side  of  the  halted  horse 
man  ;  when  the  following  dialogue  distinctly  reached  the  ears  of 
the  eager  listener  within. 

"  Captain  Sherwood— ain't  it  ?  " 

"Yes  —  Remington,  I  believe,  from  the  voice  ?  —  Well,  what 
news?" 

1 '  Important  —  great —  glorious !  " 

"Aha,  what  is  it?" 

"  The  rebels  have  evacuated  Ti. !  " 

"  The  devil!   and  all  escaped  ?  " 

"  Every  scoundrel  of  them,  but  their  race  is  nearly  up." 

"Why?     How?     Where  are  they?" 

"  St.  Clair,  with  the  bulk  of  them,  made  shift  to  push  on  to 
Castleton  by  dark, — Warrington  with  a  regiment  or  two,  now 
lies  encamped  at  Seleck's  farm  right  against  us  over  on  the  mili 
tary  road.  Gen.  Frazicr,  who  followed  hard  on  their  tracks 
through  the  day,  lies  at  Lacy's  Camp,  with  his  brigade ;  and  Red 
Hazle  and  his  Jarmans  are  but  a  few  miles  behind." 

"  And  what  is  Frazier's  plan  ?  " 

" To  move  upon  Warrington  at  daylight;  and  he  told  me  to 
tell  you  to  be  on  hand  when  the  attack  is  made,  —  flank  the 
rebels  iu  the  woods,  and  keep  on  ahead  of  them  to  cut  off  their 
retreat.  But  the  order  needn't  interfere  with  your  business  here," 
added  the  traitor,  with  a  knowing  chuckle,  pointing  towards  the 
house  with  one  hand,  and  giving  his  master  a  significant  nudge 
with  the  other: — There's  no  need  of  your  marching  before  break 
of  day;  so  you  se^  you'll  have  time  to — " 

"  Hush !  speak  lower,  you  prying  devil, — she  '11  hear  you." 

"Well,  well;  but  what  is  to  be  my  share  for  this  night's 
job  ?  " 

"  British  gold,— Burgoyne  will  see  to  that," 


284  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

"  Yes,  I  know  that;  but  I  mean  what  share  of  the  same  kind 
of  coin  that  you  are  about  to  make  free  with  ? — You  understand 
me,  hey?" 

"That's  asking  more  than  you  have  any  right  to  expect,  Rem 
ington." 

"  The  hell  is  it!  I  know  there  is  game  to  be  had,  and  if  I  can't 
have  my  share,  when  my  betters  are  helping  themselves,  I'll  know 
the  reason  why,  by — " 

"Yes,  but  don't  get  in  a  passion  about  it :  Something  of  the 
kind  may  be  effected  for  you,  perhaps.  The  Scotch  ^irl  is  prom 
ised  to  Darrow ;  but  there  are  two  maids.  It  can  be  managed, 
possibly — " 

"To-night?" 

"  Why, — why,  not  very  conveniently — if  you  will  delay  till  to 
morrow  night but  hush!  hush!  who  is  that  ?  —  who  is  that 

coming  in  such  haste?"  —  hurriedly  exclaimed  Sherwood,  as 
startled  by  the  sound  of  rapidly  approaching  footsteps,  he  looked 
round  and  distinguished  the  figure  of  some  one  hastily  making 
his  way  towards  them. 

"  It  is  the  lieutenant's  gait,"  observed  Remington,  whose  situ 
ation  on  his  horse  enabled  him  best  to  determine  the  point  In 
question.  "And  it  is  Darrow,  too,  ain't  it  ?" 

"Yes,  I  am  the  chap,"  responded  the  ruffian  striding  up  to  the 
spot.  ' '  Where  is  the  Captain  ?  —  O  here !  Jake,  the  devil  is  to 
pay!" 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  eagerly  asked  Sherwood. 

"Why,  it  may  be  matter  enough  for  us  soon,  if  what  Reming 
ton  here  says  about  the  rebels  being  so  near  us,  is  true — Hendee's 
cursed  Indian  has  escaped  !  " 

"  Hell  and  furies!     Bill,  who  suffered  that  ?  " 

"  The  lubberly  curse  that  you  set  to  guard  the  red  scamp  in 
the  corner  of  the  barn  got  asleep,  I  s'pose ;  and  the  confusion  and 
crowding  caused  by  the  storm  prevented  any  one  else  from  seeing 
to  it." 

"  How  long  has  he  been  gone  ?  " 

"  These  two  hours,  for  aught  I  can  ascertain." 

"  Did  you  see  any  thing  that  could  be  taken  for  the  imp,  on 
your  route,  Remington  ? " 

"  No,  Captain.  As  soon  as  I  found  that  the  rebels  were  on  the 
road,  I  rode  several  miles  miles  round  in  by-roads,  to  reach  the 
British  camp." 

"  Well,  Darrow^  ^e  must  move,"  said  Sherwood,  after  musing 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  285 

a  moment ;  "  I  know  that  fellow  well.  He  will  know  what  to  do 
without  being  told,  and  will  be  as  cunning  as  Satan  in  bringing  it 
about.  In  beating  about  for  help  to  rescue  the  family,  he  will 
learn  Warrington's  position,  which  ten  to  one  he  has  reached  be 
fore  this.  You,  as  well  as  I,  can  guess  what  will  come  next. 
Within  an  hour,  a  hundred  of  Warrington's  bull  dogs  may  be 
upon  us,  with  ambuscades  in  every  direction  around  us.  We 
must  march,  and  that  instantly.  Our  private  plans,  Bill,  must  be 
deferred  till  another  night.  And,  by  that  time,  I  am  thinking, 
there  wont  be  enough  left  of  the  damned  scoundrel,  or  his  men, 
to  trouble  us.  We  will  take  to  the  hill  on  the  south  end  of  the 
pond  yonder.  The  moon  is  coming  out;  and  this  breeze  will 
shake  the  water  from  the  trees,  so  that  we  can  make  our  way 
comfortably.  Go  forward,  Darrow,  and  be  mustering  the  men. 
Remington,  let  me  mount  that  horse,  till  we  enter  the  woods. 
Guards!  ho !  you  may  close  up  round  the  house  now,  and  in  a  few 
moments  we  will  relieve  you  of  your  charge." 

If  ever  an  offering  of  unfeigned,  unmingled  gratitude  ascended 
to  Heaven  from  the  lips  of  mortals  for  boon  bestowed,  it  was  that 
of  Alma  Hendee,  as  on  bended  knees  she  poured  out  the  incense 
of  her  gushing  and  grateful  heart  to  her  divine  Preserver  for  this 
temporary  deliverance  from  the  perils  that  so  nearly  threatened 
her.  She  had  scarcely  risen  from  her  devotions,  when  a  messen 
ger  from  Sherwood's  quarters  entered,  and  summoned  her  to 
attend  him  to  the  other  cabin.  She  obeyed  with  cheerful  alacrity 
and,  in  a  few  moments  more,  was  in  the  silent  embrace  of  her 
friends,  receiving  the  low  murmured  caresses  and  blessings  of 
her  overjoyed  father,  on  whose  bosom  she  lay  sobbing  till  inter 
rupted  by  the  stern,  harsh  voice  of  Darrow  at  the  door,  command 
ing  them  all  to  come  forth,  to  be  taken  with  the  band  in  the 
movement  which  had  been  so  hastily  concerted  by  the  alarmed 
leaders ! 

On  emerging  from  the  house  the  prisoners  found  the  entire 
band  of  their  captors  drawn  up  in  the  yard,  waiting  only  to  re 
ceive  them  before  commencing  the  contemplated  march.  And, 
after  the  former  had  been  ordered  to  take  their  places  near  the 
centre  of  the  line,  separated  from  each  other  by  the  alternate 
intermingling  of  guards  as  on  the  afternoon's  march,  the  whole 
moved  silently  forward  across  the  pasture  in  the  direction  pre- 
/viously  mentioned  by  their  leader.  When  they  arrived  at  tho 
outskirts  of  the  clearing,  Sherwood  relinquished  the  horse,  upon 
Which  lie  had  thus  far  superintended  the  march,  to  Remington, 


280  TUB    Git  KEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

and,  after  sending  off  the  latter  on  some  secret  destination,  took 
his  station  at  the  head  of  the  forces,  and  plunged  directly  into  the 
forest.  After  many  windings  through  the  pathless  and  still  drip 
ping  woods,  for  the  purpose  of  confusing  or  misleading  their 
enemies,  in  any  attempts  which  might  be  made  to  follow  the  trail, 
they  bore  down  upon  the  pond,  and  soon  struck  into  an  old 
Indian  path  running  along  the  margin  of  the  water  towards  the 
south.  In  this  they  slowly  pursued  their  dark,  and  often  difficult, 
way,  till  day-light;  when  arriving  at  the  southern  extremity  of 
the  pond,  and  being  here,  as  they  believed,  out  of  the  reach  of  any 
immediate  danger  from  pursuit,  they  withdrew  a  short  distance 
from  the  the  vicinity  of  the  water,  and  halted  to  wait  the  opera 
tions  of  the  hostile  armies,  being  now  within  a  short  distance  of 
the  clearing  in  which  the  action  was  expected  to  take  place. 

After  scouts  had  been  despatched  to  watch  the  movements  of 
Warrington's  forces,  and  some  time  spent  in  inspecting  their  arms, 
and  preparing  them  for  instant  service,  the  band,  at  the  intima 
tion  of  their  leaders,  proceeded  to  partake  of  a  hasty  repast,  con 
sisting  mostly  of  bread  and  dried  meats,  which  each  produced 
from  his  own  knapsack,  with  the  exception  of  the  officers  and 
captives,  for  the  supplying  of  whom  one  of  Captain  Hendce's 
horses,  loaded  with  provisions  and  tent-cloths,  had  followed  in  the 
rear.  A  scanty  portion  of  this  kind  of  food,  with  a  gourd-shell 
of  water,  was,  after  a  while,  sent  to  the  faint  and  wearied  prison 
ers  by  Sherwood,  who  seemed  studiously  to  avoid  coming  himself 
into  their  immediate  presence.  The  meal  was  partaken  by  fhe 
captives  in  gloomy  silence,  which,  except  here  and  there  in  the 
ribald  jest  of  a  tory,  or  the  low  gutteral  grunt  of  a  savage,  was 
imitated  by  the  mongrel  gang  of  ferocious  and  brutal  looking  fel 
lows  around  them. 

Scarcely  had  they  finished  their  homely  repast,  when  a  rattling 
peal  of  distant  musketry,  followed  by  the  sound  of  rolling  drums 
furiously  beating  to  arms,  came  booming  through  the  forest, 
awakening  the  echoes  of  hill  and  dell  for  miles  around,  and  start 
ling  both  captives  and  captors  by  the  sound,  now  well  understood 
by  all  as  the  herald  of  the  approaching  conflict. 

u  To  the  hills!  forward  to  a  station  on  the  hills!  "  loudly  shout 
ed  Sherwood,  now  for  the  first  time  openly  exercising  the  com 
mand  in  the  presence  of  the  prisoners. 

Hastily  forming  a  line  of  march,  Sherwood,  with  quick  and 
eager  steps  led  his  men  up  the  ragged  steeps  towards  his  pro 
posed  station,  leaving  the  brutal  Darrow,  who  had  charge  of  th« 


THE    GKEm   MOUNTAIN   HOTS.  28: 

rear,  in  which  the  captives  were  now  placed,  to  goad  on  the  infirm 
old  captain,  and  the  tender  and  already  exhausted  females,  to  keep 
pace  with  the  rest.  After  a  rapid  and  fatiguing  march  of  half  an 
hour,  at  almost  every  step  of  which  the  forest  around  them  was 
resounding  to  the  roar  of  thickening  conflict  on  the  plains  to 
the  right,  they  reached  the  summit  of  a  wood-covered  hill,  which 
overlooked  the  extensive  opening  to  the  west,  now  occupied  as 
the  scene  of  action  by  the  contending  armies.  Immediately 
detaching  about  a  dozen  of  his  most  trusty  tories  with  Darrow  at 
their  head  to  guard  the  prisoners,  Sherwood,  with  the  remainder 
of  his  force,  proceeded  some  forty  or  fifty  rods  down  the  hill,  and 
took  his  station  in  the  bushes  bordering  the  opening,  to  wait  a 
favorable  opportunity  to  co-operate  with  his  British  friends.  The 
guard,  on  the  departure  of  Sherwood,  wishing  to  take  a  stand 
themselves  where  they  could  witness  the  battle,  ordered  the  cap 
tives  forward  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  permitted  them  to  take 
seats  upon  the  edge  of  a  cliff  which  afforded  them,  through  the 
openings  of  the  overhanging  foliage,  a  distinct  view  of  the  field 
of  conflict.  A  grand  and  thrilling  spectacle  now  burst  upon  their 
view.  At  the  distance  of  less  than  a  mile,  in  the  broad  field 
beneath  them,  stood  the  plain  and  hardy  sons  of  liberty,  unflinch 
ingly  engaged  face  to  face,  and  often  arm  to  arm,  in  deadly  strife 
with  the  gorgeous  and  disciplined  bands  of  their  outnumbering 
foes, — the  fluttering  standards  and  glittering  arms  of  wheeling 
squadrons  now  flashing  in  the  morning  sun,  and  now  enveloped  in 
clouds  of  eddying  smoke,  as  the  fires  of  a  thousand  death-tubes 
blazed  fiercely  along  the  opposing  lines;  while  hill  and  forest 
around  seemed  rocking  responsive  to  the  deafening  thunders  of 
the  embattled  plain.  With  an  interest  equally  intense,  but  with 
emotions  widely  different,  was  the  scene  witnessed  by  the 
little  group  of  captives:  for  while  Alma  and  Jessy  gazed  in 
silent  awe  upon  the  fearful  spectacle,  trembling  and  amazed  at 
(ho  tremendous  din  that  rose  from  the  spot,  and  with  bosoms  pain 
fully  beating  with  secret  anxiety  for  the  fate  of  their  betrothed 
lovers,  engaged,  as  they  believed,  in  the  hottest  of  the  strife,  and 
exposed  every  instant,  to  the  missiles  of  death,  or  already  wel 
tering  in  their  gore  among  the  dying  and  dead, — while,  with 
such  agitating  emotions  gazed  they  upon  the  scene,  Captain  Hen 
dee  watched  the  progress  of  the  contest  with  the  experienced  eye 
of  a  soldier,  and  with  a  view  to  its  general  results.  For  nearly 
nn  hour  the  battle  raged  with  unmitigated  fury.  Alternately 
driving  and  driven,  the  contending  foes,  without  any  permanent 


288  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

advantage  to  either,  fiercely  disputed  for  the  mastery  of  the  field; 
while  volley  after  volley,  bursting  in  rapid  succession  along  thft 
serried  lines  of  the  opposing  fronts  continued  to  sweep  the  plain 
with  the  leaden  tempest,  covering  it  with  heaps  of  the  dying  and 
the  dead.  At  length  there  was  a  momentary  lull  in  the  din  of 
battle.  Even  the  "stormy  music"  of  the  shriek-drowning  drum 
for  an  instant  ceased  to  send  up  its  monotonous  roar  from  the 
field  of  conflict.  And  all  beneath  the  broad  and  veiling  cloud  of 
smoke,  that  hung  over  the  spot,  at  first  seemed  as  silent  as  if  that 
cloud  had  been  a  pall  for  an  army  of  the  dead.  The  next  mo 
ment,  however,  a  sound  reached  the  quick  ears  of  the  female 
captires,  more  fearful  than  the  thunders  of  battle. 

"List!  what  is  that  ?"  asked  the  girls,  with  a  simultaneous 
exclamation,  and  looks  of  horror,  as  the  piercing  and  mingled 
wail  of  many  voices  came  wafting  on  the  breeze  with  awful  dis 
tinctness  to  the  ear.  "  Oh,  father,  what  dreadful  sound  is  that  ?  " 
repeated  Alma,  with  a  shudder: 

The  old  gentleman,  whose  less  acute  organs  had  not  been 
affected  by  the  sound,  without  replying,  turned  an  ear  towards 
the  fatal  field.  The  same  hideous,  though  low  and  distance-mel 
lowed  screech,  came  up  again  from  the  spot  with  the  succeeding 
undulation  of  the  fitful  breeze,  but  was  the  next  instant  lost  in  a 
fresh  burst  of  martial  music,  which  once  more  sent  its  swelling 
roar  over  the  surrounding  hills. 

''  It  is  the  cries  of  the  wounded!"  said  the  Captain,  turning 
to  his  unheeding  auditors,  for  they  sat  with  their  hands  tightly 
pressed  upon  their  ears  to  exclude  the  abhorrent  sound.  "But 
it  is  over — it  is  over  now,"  he  continued,  motioning  them  to 
withdraw  their  hands. 

Understanding  the  gesture  rather  than  the  words,  the  girls 
hesitatingly  unstopped  their  ears,  and  turned  a  mute  and  startled 
look  of  enquiry  upon  the  Captain. 

"  It  was  the  groans  of  the  wounded,"  resumed  the  Captain. 
"It  is,  indeed,  a  dreadful  sound  to  one  not  inured  to  the  horrors 
of  war.  The  first  time  I  ever  heard  it,  I  well  remember,  it  made 
my  hair  rise  upright  on  my  head,  and  filled  me  with  more  terror 
and  dread  than  the  bullets  of  the  enemy.  But  it  does  not  often 
occur,  and  should  never,  as  it  disheartens  the  men;  yet  it  will 
some  times  happen,  when  some  sudden  change  in  the  order  of 
battle  is  taking  place  on  both  sides  at  the  same  moment." 

"  And  do  you  suspect  any  important  change  is  about  to  take 
place  in  the  present  battle,  father  ?  "  anxiously  enquired  Alma. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    HOTS.  289 

"I  do,  child.  I  can  perceive  there  is  a  movement  going  on 
among  our  troops.  There!  do  you  see  that  officer  dashing  at  full 
speed  along  the  lines,  as  he  occasionally  appears  in  the  openings 
of  the  lifting  smoke  ?  He  is  rallying  and  forming  for  a  fresh  on 
set,  and  is  probably  the  chief  in  command,  who  you  understood 
was  to  be — " 

"It  is!  it  is  he!"  exclaimed  Alma,  with  trembling  eagerness. 
"Yes,  it  is  he,  and  yet  spared,  thank  Heaven!"  she  added, 
checking  herself,  and  sinking  her  voice  into  an  almost  inaudible 
whisper,  "but  oh!  the  perils  which  the  next  moment  may  sur 
round  him !  "  and  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands  to  conceal  her 
emotion. 

"Well,  whether  Warrington  or  another,"  observed  the  Cap 
tain,  ' '  the  officer  in  command  there  is  winning  glory  for  himself 
and  his  country.  I  have  never  seen  a  defence  against  a  superior 
force  conducted  with  more  ability  than  he  has  displayed,  nor-a 
field  disputed  with  more  determined  intrepidity  than  this  by  the 
men  under  him;  at  least  by  all  those  who  have  yet  engaged. 
But  there  is  one  battalion  standing  aloof  by  the  copse,  yonder, 
whose  movements  I  neither  understand  nor  like.  I  wonder  who 
they  are  ?  " 

"  That  is  Colonel  Hale's  regiment,"  said  a  voice  from  the  rear, 
"We  have  no  great  fears  of  him,  or  his  men;  but  them  dare 
devils  in  the  thickest  of  it,  there,  are  Green  Mountain  Boys,  and 
I'll  own — but  they've  got  to  knuckle  soon,  for  Red  Hazle  can't 
now  be  more  than  a  mile  or  so  off,  and  then — " 

The  Captain  turned  his  head,  and  beheld  in  the  speaker  the 
traitor  Remington,  who  had  arrived  unperceived,  and  now  stood 
imblushingly,  and  with  a  malicious  and  exulting  leer,  looking 
him  in  the  face.  The  double-faced  villain,  however,  was  met  by 
the  old  veteran  with  such  a  withering  look  of  scorn  and  con 
tempt,  as  caused  him  to  pause  in  his  remarks,  and  soon  to  slink 
away  behind  the  guards. 

Muttering  a  few  deep  and  bitter  curses  upon  the  object  of  his 
aversion,  on  whom  he  looked  as  the  despicable  instrument  of  his 
present  misfortunes,  Captain  Hendee  again  turned  to  watch  the 
progress  of  the  battle. 

"Keep  your  eyes  on  the  field,  girls,"  said  the  old  gentleman, 
after  closely  scanning  the  appearance  of  the  belligerent  forces  a 
moment.  "They  are  evidently  on  the  eve  of  some  important 
evolution.  There!  see  there!  there  goes  the  fire  of  our  whole 
line  upon  them  in  a  single  blaze !  Ah  !  that  fire  must  have  told 


290  THE    GUmN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

dreadfully  on  the  enemy!"  lie  continued,  with  an  exulting  air, 
while  waiting  for  the  dispersion  of  the  smoke,  that,  curling  its 
wavy  folds  over  the  American  lines,  at  this  terrible  volley,  con 
cealed  for  an  instant  both  them  and  their  foes  completely  from 
view.  "  Yes,  dreadfully,  as  they  acknowledge,  by  not  returning 
the  fire.  There,  you  can  just  sec  their  scarlet  lines  now,— and 
in  confusion! — staggering  and  recoiling  in  confusion,  as  I  lire! 
And,  by  Jupiter!  see!  how  like  lightning  the  black  masses  of 
the  continentals  are  throwing  themselves  into  columns!  They 
charge!  they  charge!  Heavens  what  a  clash  of  encountering 
steel  —  but  no  wavering  in  the  charging  column  yet  !  On 
they  move !  And,  by  the  Lord  of  Heavens !  the  red-coats  give 
way  before  them!  They  reel— break,  and  run,--yes,  see!  nee! 
the  poor  beaten  devils  are  fairly  taking  to  their  heels !  ha!  ha! 
Hurrah  for  the  Green  Mountain  Boys!  ha!  ha!  ha!  ha!"  And 
the  excited  old  veteran,  breaking  the  restraint  which  his  situa 
tion,  as  a  closely  guarded  prisoner,  had  imposed,  leaped  up,  and 
clapped  his  hands  in  gleeful  exultation. 

"  Stop  that  d— n'd  old  fool's  gab!"  shouted  the  nettled  and 
chafing  Darrow,  who,  having  taken  a  separate  station  in  the 
bushes,  some  rods  distant,  stood  deeply  absorbed  in  the  move 
ments  of  the  field,  when  the  old  gentleman's  exclamations  reached 
his  ears:  "stop  his  gab,  I  say !  or  spit  him  on  your  bayonet,  and 
hurl  him  over  the  cliff.  Hell !  Here,  let  me  come — I  may  as  well 
have  my  revenge  now  as  ever !  " 

As  with  angry  growls  Darrow  was  hastening  through  the 
bushes  to  the  spot,  the  nearest  guard  brought  down  his  piece,  and 
drew  back  for  a  thrust  at  the  Captain  with  his  bayonet ;  but  in  the 
act,  he  suddenly  started,  dropped  his  musket,  gave  a  convulsive 
screech,  sallied  back,  and  was  on  his  way  to  the  earth,  when  the 
sharp  and  stunning  report  of  a  dozen  rifles,  from  the  back  of  the 
hill,  burst  upon  the  ears  of  the  startled  captives,  and  their  no  less 
astonished  captors,  who,  in  their  eagerness  to  see  the  action,  had 
neglected  to  keep  watch  against  a  surprise  from  pursuing  enemies 
from  the  woods. 

' '  There !  take  that,  damn  you ! "  exclaimed  Darrow,  as,  more 
intent  on  accomplishing  his  meditated  revenge  than  attempting  a 
defence,  he  sprang  forward,  the  instant  he  perceived  himself 
attacked,  within  a  rod  of  the  captives,  discharged  his  pistol  at 
Captain  Hendee,  and,  without  waiting  to  see  the  effect  of  his  shot, 
which  his  eager  haste  had  luckily  rendered  a  vain  one,  jumped 
off  the  cliff,  and,  venturously  leaping  from  shelf  to  shelf  dowii 


THE    GREEK    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  20t 

the  precipice,  disappeared  in  the  direction  of  Sherwood's  station 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill. 

The  surviving  tories,  for  four  of  them  had  been  stretched  life 
less  upon  the  earth  by  the  shot  of  their  assailants,  discharged 
their  guns  at  random  towards  the  covert  of  their  yet  unseen  foes, 
and  fled  along  the  cliff  to  the  south,  to  gain  the  gorge  where 
Sherwood  and  his  party  had  descended.  But  they  were  a 
moment  too  late  to  effect  their  object.  The  movement  having 
been  perceived  by  Selden's  party,  for,  as  the  reader  has  doubtless 
already  anticipated,  the  assailants  were  no  other — they  suddenly 
closed  up  that  end  of  their  line,  and  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 
fugitives,  who,  quickly  tacking  about,  commenced  their  flight 
back  towards  the  captives,  with  the  view  of  escaping  along  the 
ledge  to  the  north  of  them. 

"Aha!  ye  scampering  satans,  you  can't  go  that  this  time  1  " 
exclaimed  the  sharp  and  rattling  voice  of  Pete  Jones,  who,  with 
a  dozen  study  fellows  at  his  heels,  at  that  instant  burst  through 
the  bushes,  and  came  down  like  a  whirlwind  upon  the  baffled 
tories,  in  time  to  prevent  them  from  gaming  the  thicket  in  the 
rear  of  the  captives — "spread  out,  there,  boys,  and  be  ready  to 
give  'em  the  lead  at  the  word,"  continued  the  scout,  motioning  to 
his  men,  who  promptly  complying,  cocked  their  rifles,  and  throw 
ing  themselves  into  a  half  circle,  continued  with  hasty  steps  to 
advance  upon  the  affrighted  wretches,  now  standing  huddled  to 
gether  on  the  brink  of  the  precipice,  and  looking  wildly  around 
them  for  some  chance  to  escape. 

"Now,  ye  painted  devils,"  resumed  Jones,  still  drawing  up 
with  leveled  rifle,  "now  you  have  got  to  jump,  or  take  it." 

Misunderstanding  the  real  intentions  of  the  scout,  which  were 
to  frighten,  and  then  give  quarters,  and  expecting  to  be  shot  down 
the  next  instant,  the  tories  threw  down  their  guns,  and  with  one 
consent,  plunged  madly  from  the  cliff! 

"Blood  and  bayonets!  who  would  have  thought  that  ?"  ex 
claimed  the  woodsman,  in  tones  of  mingled  horror  and  surprise, 
as  he  stepped  up  and  peered  over  the  brink,  from  which,  down  a 
broken,  but  nearly  perpendicular  descent  of  over  an  hundred 
feet,  this  desperate  leap  had  been  taken.  "  Now  I'll  be  blamed, 
if  it  don't  make  me  feel  ugly.  Only  see  'em  there!"  he  con 
tinued,  gazing  down  upon  the  mangled  wretches  at  the  foot  of  the 
precipice,  with  an  expression  of  the  deepest  commiseration, 
"only  see!  three  or  four  lay  there  in  a  heap,  panting  and  quiv 
ering  at  the  last  gasp!  And  there's  the  rest,  just  crawling  off 


29-3       THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  DOTS. 

into  the  bushes  like  snakes  with  their  backs  broke  !  Howsom« 
ever,"  he  added,  turning  away  with  an  effort  to  shake  off  the 
feeling,  "  we  can't  very  well  afford  the  poor  devils  a  great  deal 
of  lament,  for  the  same  sarce  would  have  been  ours,  if  we'd  fell 
into  the  hands  of  their  sort  of  cattle,  jest  as  sure  as  tory  is  their 
name,  and  infarnal  their  nater." 

In  the  meanwhile,  Selden,  followed  by  the  rest  of  his  company, 
had  reached  the  spot;  and  the  former  having  flown  to  the  side 
of  his  overjoyed  Jessy  and  her  friends,  the  now  liberated  captives, 
was  exchanging  those  hasty  and  heartfelt  greetings,  which  the  cir 
cumstances  were  so  well  calculated  to  call  forth,  when  a  new  and 
startling  war-cry  rose  from  the  thicket  below,  where  he  had  just 
learned  from  his  rescued  friends  that  Sherwood  with  the  main 
part  of  his  band  was  posted. 

"Do  your  hear  that,  my  brave  fellows  ?  "  exclaimed  the  young 
officer  in  a  tone  that  rung  through  the  forest,  as  he  burst  from 
the  group  of  his  embracing  friends,  and,  with  a  look  of  kindling 
enthusiasm,  leaped  forward  toward  his  men,  "do  you  hear  that 
rallying  shout  below !  But  let  them  come!  The  red-coats  are 
flying  in  confusion  before  our  friends  in  yonder  field.  Let  their 
scurvy  minions  here  in  the  bush  be  taught  the  same  lesson. 
Every  man  to  his  post !  " 

Eesponding  with  hearty  and  reiterated  cheers  to  the  words 
of  their  gallant  leader,  the  men  flew  to  their  stations  along  the 
ridge  to  await  the  approach  of  their  foes,  who  were  now  evidently 
rallying  for  a  rescue. 

At  this  instant,  a  shower  of  bullets  struck  the  crags  at  the  very 
feet  of  the  captives. 

"  Jones,  your  assistance !  "  shouted  Selden,  rushing  back  to  the 
group  who  had  thus  narrowly  escaped  death,  and  pointing  him  to 
Alma,  as  he  himself  grasped  his  own  affianced  girl  in  his  arms, 
and  with  rapid  steps  bore  her  back,  nestling  and  trembling  on  his 
bosom,  to  a  place  of  temporary  safety  over  the  screening  ridge  in 
the  rear. 

Comprehending  the  other  at  a  glance,  the  scout  bounded  for 
ward  to  the  side  of  Miss  Hendee,  at  that  instant  engaged  in 
trying  to  quiet  the  alarms  of  her  less  self-possessed  domestic, 
when,  concluding  to  give  the  order  of  his  superior  its  most  liberal 
construction,  he  gave  a  swoop  with  his  long  arms,  and,  gathering 
both  mistress  and  maid  in  his  grasp,  and  lifting  them  high  from 
the  ground,  bore  them,  blushing  through  their  alarms,  at  their 
novel  situation  aloft,  over  the  hill,  occasionally  pausing  in  his 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  293 

monstrous  strides  over  rock  and  log,  to  give  a  wink  to  Neshobee 
to  follow  his  example  with  Zilpah,  the  only  female  now  left  on 
the  spot  of  danger. 

"  Guess  you  catch  um  first,"  tartly  observed  the  yellow  maiden 
eluding  the  hesitating  grasp  of  her  bashful  gallant,  and  darting 
forward  like  an  arrow  towards  her  friends. 

"Where  is  my  father  ?  "  enquired  Alma,  with  a  look  of  con 
cern,  the  instant  she  was  released  from  the  arms  of  the  scout. 

' '  Your  father,  mum  ?  "  replied  Jones.  ' '  O,  didn't  yer  see 
him  ?  "Why  that  careless  shot  of  the  enemy  there  among  you 
jest  now.  seemed  to  raise  the  old  Captain's  dander  right  up,  and, 
seizing  the  gun  of  that  dead  tory,  that  my  old  Trusty  here 
brought  down  in  such  good  time  for  the  old  gentleman,  I'll  be 
blest  if  he  didn't  hobble  off  like  the  very  mischief  to  help  the 
boys  man  the  cliff.  And  your  tame  red  skin  has  concluded  to  do 
the  same  thing,  I  reckon,  seeing  as  how  he  got  the  mitten," 
added  the  scout,  tipping  a  knowing  and  saucy  wink  to  Zilpah. 

A  general  discharge  of  rifles  and  musketry  by  Selden's  party, 
along  the  top  of  the  ridge  to  the  south,  here  interrupted  the  con 
versation,  announcing  that  the  enemy  had  made  their  appearance 
on  their  way  up  the  hill  towards  the  accessible  points  in  the 
ledge. 

"  That  must  be  a  feint,"  observed  Captain  Selden;  ''they  can 
not  be  serious  in  any  attempt  to  mount  the  ridge  in  the  very  teeth 
of  our  death-dealing  rifles,  can  they,  Jones  ?  " 

"No,  Captain,  that  ain't  no  part  of  their  calkerlation,  I'll 
swear  to  it.  Neither  need  we  have  any  fears  of  their  flanking 
round  the  ledge  to  the  north  of  us,  as  that  might  bring  'em 
between  two  fires,  one  from  us,  and  another  from  the  field.  So, 
while  a  few  of  'em  are  showing  themselves,  and  firing  just  enough 
to  keep  up  the  sham,  the  main  part  will  push  round  at  the  other 
end  of  the  ridge,  about  a  half  mile  or  so,  to  the  south  of  us. 
And  I  shouldn't  be  surprised  if  the  lead  was  flying  considerable 
thick  along  here  in  the  matter  of  twenty  minutes  from  now— 
but  suppose  you  put  the  women  a  jogging,  Captain ;  and  let  me 
be  looking  to  the  sarpents  a  little,"  added  the  scout,  glancing 
uneasily  around  him,  and  showing  signs  of  impatience  to  be 
gone. 

"You  are  right,  Jones,"  promptly  replied  Selden,  "and  there 
is  now  but  one  course  to  be  pursued.  The  ladies  must  pass  down 
the  hill,  and,  striking  for  the  open  field,  endeavor  to  gain  the  rear 


294  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

of  our  army.  I  must  attend  them,  leaving  the  command  of  the 
men  with  you  to  cover  our  retreat — can  you  do  it  ?  " 

'4  \Hiy,  I  rather  guess  I  mought;  that  is,  ii  you  will  clear  with 
the  women — the  sight  of  them  kinder  clogs  a  fellow,  you 
know." 

"  Call  in  Captain  Hendee,  then.  He  is  not  nimble  enough  for 
a  bush  fight.  Send  us  also  Neshobee,  and  two  of  my  men  as  an 
escort." 

"Ay,  ay,  Captain,"  cheerfully  responded  the  scout,  loping  off 
at  a  rapid  pace  to  his  charge — "  ay,  ay,  we'll  fix  it  about  right, 
won't  we,  old  Trusty  ?  Trol,  lol,  lol  de  larly." 

Within  five  minutes  from  the  disappearance  of  Jones,  the 
family  party  were  all  collected,  and  in  rapid  motion  down  the 
hill.  Nor  was  the  expedition  with  which  the  movement  was 
accomplished  uncalled  for  by  the  event:  For,  scarcely  had  they 
proceeded  a  furlong  on  their  route,  before  the  cracking  and  iireg- 
ular  reports  of  rifles  behind  them  announced  an  attack  by  the  foe, 
in  a  manner  just  predicted  by  the  sagacious  scout.  Passing 
onward  with  all  the  speed  they  were  capable  of  making,  they 
paused  not  in  their  course  till  they  renched  the  spot  where  they 
and  their  captors  had  halted  in  the  morning.  There,  after  taking 
charge  of  Captain  Hendee's  horse,  which  had  been  left  tied  to  a 
tree,  and  ascertaining  from  the  direction  and  distance  of  the  firing 
at  the  scene  they  had  just  left,  that  Jones  was  at  least  maintain 
ing  his  position  on  the  hill,  they  turned  short  to  the  west,  and 
made  their  way  immediately  to  the  opening,  where  the  main 
action,  as  was  evident  from  the  heavy  discharge  of  artillery  that 
occasionally  came  pealing  through  the  forest,  was  still  kept  up  by 
the  slowly  retreating  enemy.  On  arriving  at  the  borders  of  the 
woods,  our  party  entered  the  mouth  of  a  ravine,  which,  while  it 
protected  them,  by  its  screening  banks,  from  the  view  of  any 
spies  whom  Sherwood  might  have  posted  on  the  hill,  luckily  led 
up,  and  opened  upon  the  plain,  directly  abreast  of  the  position 
now  occupied  by  Warrington's  regiment  of  Green  Mountain 
Boys. 

Passing  hastily  along,  in  Indian  file,  up  this  ravine,  till  fairly 
beyond  rifle-shot  distance  from  the  woods,  and  arriving  by  this 
time  at  an  elevation,  where,  still  unseen,  they  could  easily  obtain 
a  glance  over  the  scene  of  action,  the  company  halted,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining,  before  proceeding  any  further,  the  exact 
position  of  the  American  forces,  and  the  prospect  of  maintaining 
the  temporary  advantages  which  they  had  evidently  already 


THE    O  KEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  295 

gained  over  the  boasted  brigade  of  the  gallant,  but  now  mortified 
General  Frazier. 

A  misty  veil  of  undissipated  smoke  still  hung  over  the  field  of 
battle,  and  prevented  Selden  and  Captain  Hendee,  who  mounted 
the  bank  for  the  purpose,  from  ascertaining  any  thing  more  than 
the  general  positions  of  tlie  hostile  armies.  The  Americans  hav 
ing  pursued  their  routed  enemies  a  short  distance,  had  fallen  back 
upon  the  ground  occupied  by  them  at  the  onset;  while  the  British, 
having  collected  and  rallied  their  broken  and  disordered  forces, 
had  made  a  sullen  stand  about  half  a  mile  distant. 

"  Our  troops  have  beaten  the  red-coats,  and  driven  them  from 
the  field  of  attack,  it  is  evident; "  observed  Selden,  musingly,  as 
he  ran  his  eye  anxiously  over  the  field,  "  and  yet,  I  fear,  their 
temporary  victory  has  been  bought  too  dearly  to  permit  them  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  they  have  obtained." 

u  I  fear  so  too,"  replied  Captain  Hendee.  "  Nor  do  I  exactly 
like  the  aspect  and  motions  of  the  enemy  yonder.  See!  they  are 
now  deploying  off  towards  the  woods  against  our  left  wing. 
They  are  either  preparing  for  a  fresh  onset  in  a  new  form,  or 
opening  for  a  reinforcement  large  enough  to  form  a  centre ;  and 
I  am  apprehensive  the  latter,  as,  now  I  bethink  me,  I  heard  a 
treacherous  scoundrel,  who  came  near  us  a  few  moments  before 
you  arrived  for  our  rescue,  making  the  boast  that  a  fresh  body  of 
Burgoyne's  German  hirelings  were  but  a  mile  or  two  distant,  and 
in  full  march  for  the  field." 

"  God  forbid !"  exclaimed  Selden,  with  a  look  of  anxiety  and 
alarm.  "But  this  must  instantly  be  seen  to.  Perhaps  our 
officers  are  not  aware  of  it.  I  must  immediately  forward  to 
Warrington.  Keep  your  position  here,  my  friends,  till  I  return, 
which  shall  be  soon,  better  informed  how  to  act,  and  with  some 
plan  for  your  disposal,  or  escape,"  added  the  young  officer,  as, 
leaping  down  into  the  valley,  he  seized  the  horse  from  the  hands 
of  Neshobee,  mounted,  and,  waving  a  hasty  adieu  to  the  ladies, 
dashed  forward  at  full  speed  over  the  plain  to  the  American 
lines. 

Captain  Hendee,  still  retaining  his  post  of  elevation,  continued 
anxiously  to  watch  those  movements  of  the  enemy  which  had 
raised  his  suspicions  of  an  approaching  reinforcement.  Nor  had 
many  minutes  elapsed  before  his  worst  apprehensions  were  con 
firmed  by  the  appearance  of  Reidescl,  who,  with  flying  colors  and 
rattling  drums,  and  all  the  pomp  and  pride  of  military  array, 
came  pouring  the  numerous  troops  of  his  well  trained  brigade 


296  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  ~ 

across  the  field,  and  bearing  down  in  solid  columns  directly  upo* 
the  American  centre,  which  stood  calmly  awaiting  their  ap^ 
proach ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  Frazier,  with  his  whole  force, 
a  little  in  advance  of  the  Germans,  moved  rapidly  along  under 
the  woods  to  the  south  against  the  extreme  left  of  the  Ameri 
cans,  mostly  composed  of  the  doubtful  regiment  of  Hale.  A 
few  moments  of  awful  suspense  followed;  and  again  the  flash 
of  a  thousand  exploding  muskets  enveloped  the  encountering 
hosts  in  clouds  of  rolling  smoke,  and  shook  the  earth  and 
heavens  with  the  fearful  concussions  that  followed. 

At  that  instant  Selden,  accompanied  by  a  soldier  with  two 
horses,  emerged  from  the  smoke  and  came  galloping  to  the  spot. 

"Prepare  for  instant  flight!  "  he  exclaimed,  hastily  dismount 
ing,  and  urging  his  horse  down  the  bank  towards  the  little 
grassy  nook  on  which  the  females  stood  instinctively  crowding 
together  in  mute  consternation  at  the  fearful  noise  and  commo 
tion  of  the  plain  above.  "  Ton  minutes  delay  on  this  spot  may 
again  make  you  prisoners,  and  in  the  hands  of  a  brutal  and 
exasperated  soldiery." 

"•There  is  no  hope,  then,  that  our  troops  can  long  withstand 
this  fresh  and  formidable  onset  ? "  said  Captain  Hendec,  coolly 
preparing  to  mount  the  horse  allotted  to  carry  him  and  his  daugh 
ter,  in  the  manner  in  vogue  among  the  settlers  of  carrying  their 
females  behind  them  on  horseback. 

"  Scarcely  longer  perhaps  than  to  allow  us  time  to  gain  the 
forest,"  replied  Seldeu,  placing  Jessy  on  the  crupper  of  his  own 
horse,  and  springing  himself  into  the  saddle  before  her,  while  the 
little  cavalcade,  the  two  maids  having  been  placed  on  the  back 
of  the  third  horse,  began  to  move  slowly  down  the  rocky  and 
frequently  obstructed  ravine. 

"  I  feared  so, "  said  the  former ;  "but  where  in  the  name  of 
Heaven  is  St.  Glair  all  this  time,  that  he  sends  no  reinforce 
ment  ?  " 

"Well  may  you  ask  that,  Captain  Hendee, "  said  Selden  bit 
terly — "  within  hearing  of  our  guns — with  a  full  knowledge  of 
our  attack  by  a  superior  force,  and  with  more  than  two  thousand 
troops  at  disposal,  all  impatient  to  be  with  us,  he  allows  not  a 
man  to  come  to  our  assistance.  God  forgive  him!  I  can't." 

"Nor  I;  but  what  of  that  dainty-fingered  colonel,  whom  I 
noticed  from  the  hill  standing  aloof  and  idle  with  hi?  regiment  at 
a  distance  on  the  left  ?  " 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  297 

"Hale?  *  Eternal  infamy  on  his  name?  Having  looked 
coldly  on,  and  without  lifting  a  finger  in  assistance  through  the 
whole  of  the  first  assault,  he,  on  the  approach  of  Frazier  in  this 
last  onset,  hoisted  a  white  flag — even  before  it  could  be  seen  b;y 
the  enemy,  and  disgracefully  surrendered  his  regiment,  with  all 
the  chance  in  the  world  to  save  it  by  retreat.  And  by  this  craven 
act  he  has  thrown  all  that  important  part  of  the  field  into  the  pos 
session  of  the  British,  who  are  already  sweeping  past  us,  and 
securing  the  roads  to  the  south,  leaving  our  brave  friend  War- 
rington  with  his  regiment  of  heroes  (scores  of  whom  are  stretched 
bleeding,  or  lifeless  on  the  field),  and  the  gallant  Colonel  Francis, 
with  his  batallion  of  Massachusetts  troops,  to  contend  with  a  fresh 
force  of  more  than  double  their  numbers.  But  they  must  soon 
give  way — not  to  retreat  in  a  body,  for  every  pass  by  which  that 
could  be  effected  is  now  closed  against  them, — much  less  to  sur 
render  themselves  as  prisoners,  but  to  break,  scatter  and  save 
themselves  as  they  best  can,  to  rally  again  in  some  appointed 
place  round  the  standard  of  their  lion-hearted  leader." 

"And  which  way  do  you  and  Warrington  propose  for  our 
flight,  after  reaching  the  forest  ?  " 

"  An  old  by-road  leading  from  the  head  of  yonder  pond  directly 
across  the  country  to  Otter  Creek,  and  there  intersecting  the 
Creek  road  to  Pittsford  and  the  older  settlements.  One  of  our 
guards,  here,  must  be  despatched  to  call  in  Jones  with  a  dozen 
trusty  men  to  guard  us  on  our  way,  while  the  rest  of  my  com 
pany  shall  keep  the  accursed  Sherwood  and  his  gang,  if  possible, 
engaged,  that  he  may  have  no  way  to  discover  the  route  we  have 
taken  till  we  are  beyond  the  reach  of  his  malice.  But  hark !  'tis 
a  shout  of  triumph  from  the  British  line?  Forward  with  all  pos 
sible  speed — for  God%s  sake,  forward  to  the  woods!  " 

Dashing  onward  at  the  word,  the  whole  party  in  a  moment 
more  gained  the  confines  of  the  forest,  and  quickly  disappeared 
within  its  recesses,  thus  escaping  the  dangers  of  the  field,  where 
they  had  been  nearly  involved  in  the  general  melee  of  dispersing 
pursued  and  pursuing  combatants,  that  ensued  at  the  close  of 
that  fierce  and  bloody  conflict,  but  escaping  only  to  encounter 
other  perils,  in  their  flight  through  the  woods,  of  a  still  more 
fearful  and  dreadful  character. 

*  It  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  though  this  was  the  version  put  on  Hale's  conduct 
at  the  time  by  many,  yet  his  family  wholly  deny  its  correctness,  and  affirm  he  de 
manded  a  court-martial,  but  died  before  obtaining  it. 


298  THE    GWEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 


CHAPTER  XH. 


'*  The  hour  of  fate  draws  on.'*' 


THE  setting  sun  was  throwing  its  parting  beams  of  rich  and  mel 
low  light,  in  a  thousand  variegated  hues,  over  the  intermingling 
foliage  of  the  deciduous  and  perennial  forest,  that  deeply  clothed 
the  mountain  slopes  to  the  eastward  of  the  sluggish  Otter.  The 
hardy  and  heroic  wo/man,  whose  lot  had  been  cast  in  the  wilder 
ness  on  the  banks  of  that  stream,  and  whose  curious  abode  wo 
have  already  described  in  a  former  chapter,  still  fearlessly  main 
tained  her  post,  in  spite  of  all  the  terrors  and  dangers  of  an  inva 
sion  which  had  driven  every  settler,  to  the  north  and  west  of  her, 
from  his  home,  and  laid  open  all  that  section  of  the  Grants,  to  her 
very  doors,  to  the  unopposed  ravages  of  British  and  savage  foes. 

Her  toils  for  the  day  being  over,  she  was  now  sitting  at  the  door 
of  her  rude  cabin,  enjoying,  with  an  anxious  and  thoughtful  brow, 
the  grateful  coolness  of  the  evening  air,  while  her  hopeful  brood  of 
embryo  foresters  were  lolling  upon  the  grass,  or  gamboling  in 
childish  freaks  around  her. 

"  Oh  mother  !  what  was  it  that  I  seed  over  yonder,  that  twin 
kled  kinder  white  in  the  bushes,  just  now  ?  "  exclaimed  one  of  the 
younger  boys,  starting  up  with  excited  looks,  and  pointing  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Creek  at  a  spot  some  distance  up  the  stream, 
where  the  clearing,  extending  to  the  water,  afforded  a  fair  view  of 
the  forest-lined  banks  of  the  western  side  of  the  river. 

The  mother  started,  and  threw  a  quick  glance  in  the  direction 
thus  indicated,  but  perceiving  nothing,  she  sank  back  into  her 
seat,  and  observed,  "  I  doubt  whether  you  saw  any  thing,  my  son ; 
but  if  you  did,  it  was  probably  a  flock  of  pigeons,  or  some  other 
birds  rising  from  the  ground." 

"Noitwan't  mother,"  replied  the  boy  confidently,  "it  wan't 
birds !  It  was  some  thing  coming  proper  fast  along  this  way,  by 
an  open  place  in  the  trees,  and  looked  just  like  folks  running 
with  white  clothes  on." 

Aroused  by  this  last  remark,  as  well  as  by  the  eager  and  confi- 


THE    GREE3     MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  299 

dent  manner  in  which  it  was  made,  Mrs.  Story  hastily  rose,  ad 
vanced  a  few  steps,  and  sent  an  anxious  and  scrutinizing  look 
along  the  opposite  bank,  in  search  of  the  object  that  had  so  ex 
cited  the  boy's  attention.  That  object  was  the  next  moment  dis 
closed  to  her  in  the  partial  view  she  obtained  of  a  small  company 
of  both  sexes  on  horseback,  urging  forward  their  smoking  and 
jaded  steeds  with  all  possible  haste  towards  the  landing  on  that 
side  of  the  stream.  She  had  been  accidentally  apprised  that  the 
Ilendee  family  were  on  their  way  south  the  day  previous,  and 
having  heard  a  distant,  heavy  firing,  in  the  direction  they  had 
taken,  the  fore  part  of  the  present  day,  and  coupling  the  circum 
stances  with  the  hurrying  and  alarmed  appearance  of  the  approach 
ing  company,  a  painful  apprehension  now  flitted  across  her  mind; 
and,  with  an  air  of  deep  concern,  she  stepped  inside  the  door, 
took  down  her  rifle,  and  began  to  proceed,  at  a  hurried  pace, 
towards  the  Creek.  Some  doubt,  however,  seeming  to  arrest  her 
steps,  she  stopped  short,  and  again  gave  eye  and  ear  to  objects 
before  and  around  her.  The  report  of  several  rifles,  some  hun 
dred  yards  up  the  ctream,  followed  by  the  distant  shout  of  skir 
mishers,  at  that  instant  reached  the  spot,  and  at  once  resolved  her 
doubts.  Turning  hastily  to  her  children,  now  huddling  with  looks 
of  alarm  around  her,  and  ordering  them  into  the  house,  she  flew 
down  the  path  through  the  woods  to  her  landing,  drew  out  her 
canoe  from  its  concealment,  and  springing  in,  pushed  out  boldly 
for  the  opposite  shore,  at  which  she  arrived  just  as  the  fugitives, 
with  soiled  and  torn  garments,  and  way-worn  and  troubled  looks, 
came  hurrying  up  to  the  spot. 

"God  bless  you  for  this  timely  promptitude,  Mrs.  Story,"  ex 
claimed  Selden,  leaping  from  his  horse,  and  assisting  the  females 
and  the  infirm  and  sadly  jarred  old  veteran  to  dismount. 

"  You  are  pursued  ?  "  eagerly  asked  the  widow. 

"  We  are,"  answered  Selden,  "  and  have  been  every  step  of  the 
way  from  the  red  field  of  Hubbardton.  We  did  not,  however, 
intend  to  have  brought  peril  to  your  house.  But  striking  across 
the  country  to  the  Creek,  with  the  hope  of  escaping  up  the  road  to 
Pittsford,  we  discovered  the  road  to  be  ambushed  by  a  party  of 
our  outstripping  foes,  and,  as  our  only  hope  of  escape,  turned 
down  stream  to  find  refuge  at  your  abode.  And  even  this  we 
never  should  have  reached  alive,  but  for  the  protecting  rifles  of 
that  noble  fellow,  Pete  Jones,  and  his  brave  and  trusty  scouts, 
who  are  still  keeping  four-fold  their  numbers  at  bay  till  w<J  can 


SCO  TIXK    ORE  EN    MOUNTAIN  130  YS. 

"  Well,  Heaven  be  praised  for  your  deliverance  so  far,"  rejoined 
the  widow,  who  still  sat  in  her  boat,  heading  it  up  against  ttie 
bank  for  the  others  to  enter,  "  but  come,  girls,  jump  in  here,  we 
will  take  you  over  first." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  Selden,  ' '  there  is  not  a  moment  to  be  lost.  And 
here,  Nesbobee,"  he  continued,  as  the  native,  who  had  followed 
his  iriends  on  foot,  now  arrived,  "  throw  down  your  rifle,  dash  in 
there,  and  swim  across  to  bring  back  the  boat,  while  I  lead  the 
horses  into  a  thicket — perhaps  they  may  be  saved.  At  all  events, 
there  is  no  chance  to  swim  them  over  here." 

"The  canoe  will  not  carry  us  all  safely,"  said  Alma,  in  a  quiet 
and  sorrowful  tone,  as  her  companions,  who  had  first  entered, 
seated  themselves  in  the  boat. 

"Oh,  no  danger — not  the  least;  step  in,"  said  the  widow, 
encouragingly. 

"No,  let  me  remain,"  replied  the  former.  "There  will  proba 
bly  be  no  danger  till  the  boat  can  return.  But  if  there  should  be, " 
she  added,  in  the  same  plaintive  and  desponding  accents,  ' '  if 
there  should  be,  what  matters  it  to  me  ?  " 

"  Alma  Hendee!  "  said  the  widow,  looking  up  at  the  other  with 
an  air  of  mingled  surprise  and  expostulation,  "how  is  this? 
where  is  your  fortitude  ?  " 

The  grief -stricken  maiden  made  a  slight  effort  to  speak,  but  the 
utterance  died  away  on  her  quivering  lip,  and  the  bright  tear-drops 
stood  in  her  eyes. 

"What  has  happened  to  her?"  asked  the  widow,  looking 
round  on  the  company  with  an  expression  of  wonder  and  concern. 

"  Warrington  has  fallen  in  battle,"  replied  Selden,  with  an  un 
successful  effort  to  speak  without  emotion. 

"Now,  Heaven  forbid!"  exclaimed  the  widow,  in  accents  which 
plainly  told  the  shock  which  the  sad  announcement  had  imparted 
to  her  feelings. 

"Yes,  the  gallant  fellow  has  left  us,"  resumed  the  other. 
14  The  melancholy  tidings  were  received  from  a  soldier,  who  joined 
us  in  our  flight,  and  who  said  he  saw  him  fall  dead  from  his 
horse  in  the  last  moments  of  the  battle.  But  do  not  allow  your 
self  to  despond,  my  dear  Miss  Hendee.  You  had  better  go  over 
now,'  he  added,  soothingly,  as  he  approached,  and  gently  urged 
the  mutely  sorrowful,  but  now  passive  girl  into  the  boat,  which 
<vas  instantly  headed  round,  and,  under  the  strokes  of  the  strong 
irmed  widow,  sent  surging  towards  the  other  shore. 

Stopping  no   longer  than  to  see  the  females  under  way,  Sel- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  30i 

den  sprang  up  the  bank,  seized  the  horses  by  their  bridles,  and, 
whipping  them  into  a  lively  trot,  led  them  into  a  neighboring 
thicket,  tied  them  to  saplings,  and  flew  back  to  the  shore.  The 
active  young  Indian,  who  had  re-idily  undertaken  to  swim  the 
stream,  had  already  returned  with  the  canoe,  taken  in  Captain 
Hendee,  and  sat  impatiently  waiting,  with  uplifted  oar,  to  push 
again  from  the  shore. 

"  There!  now  lay  to  with  a  will,  my  lad,"  cried  Selden,  leap 
ing  into  the  boat,  just  as  the  scattering  fire  of  several  rifles, 
quickly  returned  by  that  of  a  much  larger  number,  a  short  dis 
tance  beyond,  burst  from  the  bushes  at  a  point  now  not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  up  the  stream,  apprising  them  that  the 
enemy  were  rapidly  driving  in  Jones  and  his  party,  who,  as  pre 
viously  concerted,  were  retiring  before  their  pursuers  in  three 
divisions,  each  in  turn  coming  in  front,  discharging  their  pieces 
from  their  coverts,  and  scudding  on  to  the  rear  of  the  others,  to 
reload,  and  await  the  approach  of  their  foes. 

"If  we  can  get  one  boat-load  of  men  safely  over,"  resumed 
Selden,  "we  shall  be  able,  I  trust,  to  protect  the  rest  in  cross 
ing;  and  when  all  are  over,  I  hope  to  keep  the  rascals,  on  their 
own  side  of  the  river." 

"That  may  be  done  till  dark,  perhaps,"  observed  Captain 
Heudee,  "  but  with  our  small  force,  not  after,  I  think.  No,  Cap 
tain  Selden,  unless  the  disposition  of  these  tories  is  less  devilish 
than  1  rate  it,  and  the  nature  of  their  Indian  allies  has  changed 
since  I  used  to  deal  with  the  hell-hounds,  we  may  as  well  prepare 
for  a  siege." 

"Let  it  come,  then,"  replied  the  other,  determinedly — "  with 
the  widow's  '  tother  world  '  for  a  concealment  and  strong-hold 
for  the  women  and  children,  and  those  impervious  logs  of  her 
cabin  to  protect  us  while  we  fight,  many  atory  and  red-skin  must 
take  a  leaden  supper  before  they  capture  us.  But  here  we  are, 
safe  ashore.  Neshobee,  will  you  take  back  the  boat,  or  shall  I  ?  " 

"Me  go— no  'fraid,"  answered  the  native,  again  pushing  out 
into  the  stream. 

"Very  well, — I  will  remain  to  superintend  the  transportation 
of  the  men.  And  you,  Captain  Hendee,  had  better  proceed  im 
mediately  to  the  house,  and,  if  you  will,  be  looking  a  little  to  the 
means  of  defending  it.  An  old  soldier  like  yourself  will  need 
no  instructions  in  that  duty.  Hold  out  bright  hopes  to  the  ladies, 
but  see  that  they  retire  from  the  upper  world  in  season,  and 
while  they  may,  undiscovered,  if  their  passage  to  the  lower,  with 


302  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOYS. 

which  I  am  unacquainted,  is  likely  to  expose  them  to  the  sight  of 
the  enemy." 

"  Ay,  ay,  I  will  see  to  it,"  replied  the  other,  hurrying  off  with 
unwonted  activity  to  the  cabin,  where  he  was  met  at  the  door  by 
the  widow. 

"  What  is  the  prospect,  Captain  ?"  she  asked,  in  a  low,  eager 
tone." 

"The  men  will  get  over,  I  think,  with  few  or  no  losses 
but—" 

"But  what?"  \ 

"  Those  untiring  fiends  are  after  blood !  Our  men  have  already 
to-day  made  a  heavy  inroad  on  their  numbers,  and  they  are  de 
termined  on  revenge.  I  have  no  hope  but  that  they  will  find 
means  to  cross  the  Creek  and  besiege  us,  as  soon  as  it  is  dark." 

"  Nor  have  I,  the  least,  since  Alma  has  told  me  the  particulars 
of  your  disasters,  and  the  conduct  of  that  wretch  who  has  caused 
them.  Hendee,  I  have  long  known  that  Jake  Sherwood,  and 
have  wondered  at  your  course." 

"I  was  duped — deceived,  Ann  Story,  but  I  have  been  an 
egregious  old  fool,  even  at  that,  I  will  own, — besides  treating  my 
own  flesh  and  blood  like  a  tyrant  and  a  brute,  Furies!  I  could 
beat  my  own  brains  out !  If  you  were  a  man,  and  connected 
with  me  as  you  are,  you  ought  to  curse  me  to  my  face.  A  good 
round  damning  from  a  friendly  source  would  seem  to  relieve  my 
feelings.  But  where  are  the  girls  ? " 

"  All  within  here.  They  have  taken  a  little  refreshment,  and 
seem  getting  up  their  spirits  a  little." 

"Well,  we  will  not  dampen  their  feelings  at  present;  but  they, 
and  you  with  your  children,  had  better  be  on  the  move  for  your 
underground  refuge." 

"That  is  easily  gained  now." 

"Why  you  enter  the  Creek  as  formerly,  don't  you  ?  " 

' '  No,  I  have  made  an  improvement  this  summer.  Come, 
attend  me,  and  you  shall  see." 

"  I  will,  but  must  first  glance  at  the  means  we  shall  have  of 
defending  the  house,  which  we  must  make  our  fortress,  for  beat 
ing  off  or  weakening  the  enemy.  Your  place  of  concealment 
below  must  be  the  last  resort  of  the  men,  if  they  enter  it  at  all." 

They  now  entered  the  house,  and  were  met  by  the  anxious 
and  enquiring  looks  of  the  girls,  who  sat  silently  waiting  to  hear 
the  news  which  the  Captain  might  have  brought  from  the 
of  action. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS.  303 

"Has  he — "  at  length  commenced  Miss  Reed,  unable  longer 
to  repress  her  anxiety,  but  stopping  short  and  blushing  at  the  ex- 
clusiveness  of  the  enquiry  she  was  about  to  make,  "  has — that  IB, 
is  the  danger  over  ?  " 

"  We  hope  so,"  replied  the  Captain,  "at  least,  there  can  be  but 
little  danger  for  you  females.  Captain  Selden  trusts  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  crossing.  He  commands  without,  and  I,  for  the 
present,  within ;  and  I  hope  to  find  in  you  a  brave  garrison. 

"  Jessy,  at  least,  will  prove  no  coward  for  herself,  I  suspect,"  re 
marked  the  widow,  a  little  archly. 

"Well,  both  she  and  Alma  are  soldiers'  daughters,"  resumed 
the  Captain,  "  and  should  danger  beset  us  to-night,  I  trust  they 
will  bear  themselves  as  they  have  already  done  for  the  last  twenty- 
four  hours,  with  firmness  and  fortitude.  But  now  for  the  business 
on  hand,"  he  added,  turning  to  the  hostess,  and  glancing  round 
the  walls  of  the  house. 

"  Very  well,  sir,  and,  to  begin,  here  is  my  double  plank  door — 
bullet-proof,  I  think,  and  the  fastenings  abundantly  secure." 

"Yes,  I  have  noticed  ;  but  what  loop-holes  shall  we  have  to  fire 
from,  besides  that  window?  " 

"Here,"  answered  the  widow,  stepping  up  to  one  of  the  walls, 
and  pulling  out  a  nicely  fitting  block  from  a  cone-shaped  embras 
ure  cut  through  one  of  the  logs.  There  are  two  of  these  on  each 
side  and  end  of  the  house,  and  as  many  more  just  below  the  eaves 
in  the  chamber  loft  above." 

' '  Just  the  things  for  us — and  now  if  we  had  but  a  long,  square 
block  to  fill  that  window—" 

"  You  have  it  at  hand,  with  a  loop  like  the  rest,  in  that  block 
on  which  the  children  are  sitting  there." 

"  Admirable!  a  regular  fort,  by  George!  Ann  Story,  you  ought 
to  be  the  wife  of  a  general.  Let  us  now  proceed  to  your  unfind- 
able  fastness  below." 

"  In  an  instant,"  said  the  widow,  going  to  the  fire,  and  blowing 
up  a  torch.  "Boys,  lift  that  door,"  she  added,  pointing  to  a  trap 
door  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  that  opened  into  the  cellar. 

Followed  by  the  Captain,  the  widow  now  descended  through  the 
trap  in  the  floor  on  a  short  ladder  into  the  cellar,  and  going  to  the 
western  side,  and  removing  a  bundle  of  straw  standing  against  the 
wall,  disclosed  the  entrance  of  a  narrow,  upright  passage,  leading 
off  into  the  earth,  in  the  direction  of  the  river. 

"  Come  on !"  said  the  prompt  and  energetic  woman,  plunging, 
with  torch  in  hand,  directly  into  the  dark,  vaulted  way  before  her 


304  Tfffi    GREEN   MOUNTAIN 

After  proceeding  several  rods  through  this  straight  and  narrow 
passage,  all  smoothly  cut  through  the  solid  earth  some  distance 
below  the  surface,  they  came  to  a  lateral  excavation,  forming  an 
arched  room  about  a  dozen  feet  square. 

"This  is  my  half-way  house — my  innermost  recess,"  said  the 
widow,  stepping  into  the  centre  of  the  room  and  holding  up  the 
light  that  the  other  might  see  to  examine.  "This  is  a  much 
stronger  place  than  the  outer,  or  western  room,  which  you  have 
been  into  before,  I  believe,  as  the  earth  is  here  much  thicker  above 
us,  owing  to  a  swell  in  the  surface,  over  which,  to  make  it  still 
more  difficult  to  dig  through,  spread  the  widedly  branching  roots 
of  several  large  maples." 

"True,"  replied  the  Captain,  "and  one  man  at  each  entrance 
might  defend  the  place  against  hundreds.  Ah!  I  plainly  see  that 
we  old  soldiers  have  got  to  yield  the  palm  to  you,  Ann :  In  all 
my  experience  of  twenty  years  among  these  northern  forests  in 
fighting  and  dodging  the  enemy,  and  planning,  building,  or  seek 
ing  out  places  for  forts,  defences,  and  refuges,  I  never  saw  or 
thought  of  ^any  thing  like  this  establishment  of  yours," 

"I  can  think  of  no  way  by  which  our  foes  can  rout  us  from 
this,"  rejoined  the  widow,  "  unless  they  storm  us,  or  smoke  us 
out.  I  believe  I  shall  curtain  off  this  room  with  blankets  for  the 
children  and  girls  to-night,  while  we  give  up  the  other  room,  it 
needed  to  our  defenders.  But  you  have  seen  enough  of  this,  let 
us  pass  on." 

They  now  entered  the  remaining  part  of  the  passage,  which, 
after  running  a  few  rods  in  a  different  line,  and  then  winding 
around  to  the  left,  brought  them  into  the  large  partitioned  room  we 
have  formerly  described. 

"  This  you  have  seen  before,"  said  the  widow,  pausing  as  they 
entered  the  room,  "  and  there  is  nothing  new  to  show  you  here, 
except  my  stores;  those  barrels,"  pointing  to  two  casks  standing 
just  within  the  entrance  of  the  smaller  room,  "  contain  provisions, 
which,  on  the  rumor  of  the  approaching  invasion,  I  employed  my 
neighbor  just  before  he  left  us,  to  purchase  for  me  at  Crown 
Point." 

"Well,  it  is  not  impossible  that  we  shall  need  them,'1  remarked 
the  Captain  thoughtfully. 

Famine  often  follows  closely  in  the  footsteps  of  war,"  resumed 
the  other;  "so  I  thought  1  would  supply  myself  in  season.  Nor 
do  provisions  constitute  the  whole  of  my  supplies;  for  it  occurring 
to  me  at  the  same  time  that  some  thing  like  the  present  emer- 


THE  GRKEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  aos 

gency  might  happen,  I  made  another  purchase,  which  may  be 
still  more  important  to  us." 

"  What  may  that  be  ? "  asked  the  other. 

"Stand  back  to  the  mouth  of  the  entrance,  take,  and  hold  up 
this  torch,  and  I  will  show  you,"  answered  the  woman,  proceed 
ing  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  taking  down  a  broad  piece 
of  bark,  which  had  been  snugly  fitted  into  the  mouth  of  a  little, 
low  chamber,  or  recess,  excavated  in  the  earthy  wall,  and  dis 
closing  to  view  the  ends  of  some  half  dozen  strongly  bound 
casks,  to  which  she  now  directed  his  attention  with  her  finger. 

"What  have  you  there,  Ann,  so  mysteriously  hid  up,"  said  the 
old  gentleman  with  a  look  of  mingled  curiosity  and  surprise. 

"Gunpowder,  with  an  abundance  of  lead  behind  there  to 
serve." 

"Indeed!  but  not  all  your  own,  surely?  " 

"No; — only  one  is  mine — the  rest  belong  to  the  settlers,  who 
live  north  of  this,  and  who,  expecting  that  a  stand  would  have 
been  made  against  the  enemy  in  this  vicinity,  had,  it  seems, 
amply  provided  themselves  for  the  crisis.  But  finding  that  re 
sistance  would  be  useless,  they  concluded  to  flee ;  when,  getting 
wind  of  my  strong  hold,  they  brought  their  munitions,  which 
they  were  unable  to  carry  with  them,  to  this  place  for  safe  keep 
ing  till  they  should  return  or  send  for  them." 

"Faith!  that's  lucky,"  exclaimed  the  Captain.  "It  may  be 
wanted  to  supply  the  powder  horns  of  the  men,  and —  and  " —  he 
continued  partly  to  himself,  as  he  glanced  about  the  room,  with 
a  look  of  wild  and  exulting  joy  at  the  thought  which  seemed  to 
strike  his  mind,  "  and  with  the  chance  which  these  under-ground 
rooms  and  passages  afford,  as  a  last  resort,  of  blowing  that  infer 
nal  gang  nearer  heaven  than  they  will  otherwise  ever  get — but 
time  enough  to  think  of  that  when  other  measures  fail." 

"  What  measures  ? "  asked  the  widow,  who,  having  been  busy 
in  replacing  the  door  of  her  magazine,  had  not  heeded  the  re 
marks  of  the  other,  except  two  or  three  words  at  the  close. 

"  O,  nothing  of  any  present  moment,"  answered  Captain  Hen- 
dee,  with  the  air  of  one  willing  to  let  the  words  pass  without 
being  understood;  "  but  let  us  now  see  how  you  have  fixed  the 
outer  entrance." 

Resuming  her  torch,  the  widow  immediately  led  the  way 
through  the  passage  to  the  entrance  at  the  bank  of  the  Creek. 

"There!  having  no  further  use  for  this  entrance,  I  have  fast 
ened  it  up,"  said  she,  pausing  as  she  approached  the  end  of  the 


306  THE    GREEN'    MOUNTAIN 

avenue,  which  was  blocked  up  by  a  single  layer  of  square  short 
timbers,  placed  horizontally  across  the  passage  and  let  into  the 
earth  at  the  ends.  "  It  can  only  be  opened  on  the  inside,  as  you 
perceive,  or  at  least,  not  easily ;  and  I  have  considered  it  a  safe 
barrier,  though,  to  be  sure,  by  considerable  digging  on  the  out 
side — but  hush! — bark!  Do  you  hear  that  shouting  oat  upon 
the  Creek,  or  on  its  banks  ?  " 

"Ay;  and  it  sounds  as  if  there's  trouble  afoot  too.  Can  not 
this  top  timber  be  removed  without  danger  of  exposing  the  en 
trance  to  the  discovery  of  the  enemy  from  the  opposite  bank  ?  " 

"  I  should  think  so,  as  the  mouth  is  pretty  thickly  overhung 
with  bushes." 

1 '  Let  us  lift  it  out  then,  that  we  may  see,  or  at  least  hear,  what 
is  going  on." 

The  timber  was  accordingly  carefully  removed;  when  through 
the  crevice  thus  formed,  a  tolerable  distinct  view  was  obtained 
of  along  reach  of  the  Creek  above,  and  a  short  one  below.  The 
last  boat  load  of  Selden's  men  had  gained  the  middle  of  the 
stream,  and  were  pulling  with  all  possible  speed  for  the  hither 
shore,  on  which  all  those  who  had  crossed  were  posted  behind 
their  coverts,  keenly  watching,  with  cocked  and  leveled  pieces, 
for  the  first  head  that  should  be  raised  on  the  opposite  bank  to 
fire  upon  the  boat.  The  boat's  crew  as  they  had  been  ordered, 
were  all  seated,  save  one  man,  who  had  inadvertently  risen  on 
his  feet  to  point  out  to  his  companions  on  shore  the  object  which 
had  caused  the  noise  and  stir  that  had  reached  the  ears  of  the 
widow  and  her  friend.  The  man's  arm  was  still  extended  up  the 
river  with  the  motions  of  one  trying  to  count  a  series  of  some 
moving  objects. 

The  widow,  having  the  most  favorable  position  for  the  pur 
pose,  instantly  turned  her  eyes  in  the  direction  thus  indicated. 

"What  can  you  see  as  the  cause  of  the  commotion?"  asked 
the  Captain,  after  the  other  had  gazed  an  instant  in  silence. 

"Well,  I  confess,  I  don't  know  exactly  what  to  make  of  them," 
replied  the  woman,  as  with  a  puzzled  expression  she  still  kept 
her  eyes  riveted  on  the  spot: — "  some  thing  is  evidently  crossing 
the  Creek,  nearly  as  far  as  I  can  see  up  the  stream.  At  any  other 
time,  I  should  think  it  must  be  a  flock  of  cranes  with  their  long 
necks  only  above  water." 

"  It  is  the  Indians !"  exclaimed  the  Captain,  in  low,  startling 
accents — "  it  is  the  Indians,  swimming  the  Creek  on  their  backs, 


TUE  GREEK  MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  so? 

and  holding  their  guns  upright  on  their  breasts.  I  have  seen 
their  tricks  before  to  day." 

At  that  instant  a  stream  of  smoke,  accompanied  by  the  sharp 
crack  of  a  rifle,  shot  out  fiercely  from  an  old  tree  top  on  the  oppo 
site  b;mk,  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  man  standing  in  the  boat 
fell  over  backwards  into  the  water,  and  sunk,  to  rise  no  more, 
beneath  its  bubbling  surface.  An  exclamation  of  horror  rose 
to  the  lips  of  the  Captain  and  the  widow;  but  before  it  could  be 
uttered,  and  while  the  echoes  of  the  last  shot  were  yet  ringing 
among  the  neighboring  hills,  the  stunning  report  of  another  rifle, 
bursting  from  the  bank  directly  over  their  heads,  and  followed 
by  a  hollow  groan,  and  a  floundering  in  the  bushes  on  the  other 
side  told  that  the  death  of  the  victim  was  avenged. 

"There!  Jim  Townley,"  exclaimed  the  well  known  voice  cf 
Pete  Jones  on  the  bank  above,  "  '  Old  Trusty  '  has  done  the  busi 
ness  for  your  murderer,  I  guess;  though  if  he  hadn't  tore  his 
coat  so  as  to  make  a  white  spot  in  his  back,  as  he  was  slinking 
away.  I  never  could  have  got  an  aim  worth  firing  for.  Well,'' 
he  continued,  soliloquizing,  as  he  appeared  to  be  reloading  his 
piece,  "that  is  the  way  with  the  best  of  us.  Jim  was  a  fellow 
of  first  rate  grit,  and  I'd  rather  gin  any  thing  but  old  Trusty — yes, 
and  that  too, — than  to  have  him  gone  so.  But  if  spirits  can  hear 
and  see  things,  as  some  think,  it  will  be  a  grand  comfort  to  one 
of  Jim's  spunk  and  pride,  on  his  way  along  up,  to  know  th.it  the 
bloody  rascal  didn't  live  to  brag  ou't." 

The  survivors  of  the  boat's  crew,  now  reaching  the  landing, 
sprang  upon  the  bank,  and  took  their  station  among  their  com 
rades  along  the  shore,  to  watch  any  further  appearance  of  their 
foes.  But  none  daring  to  show  themselves  after  the  lesson  just 
received,  a  silence  of  some  minutes  now  prevailed.  The  culm 
was  not  destined^  however,  to  last  long.  Another  cry  of  alarm 
•was  soon  raised  by  one  of  the  men,  eagerly  calling  on  the  rest  to 
look  down  the  stream. 

"  O,  the  divils!  the  divils!"  cried  the  shrill  voice  of  Jones, 
"  they  have  stole  our  horses,  and  are  swimming  them  across  down 
Ihere,  with  two  of  the  lubbers  on  the  back  of  every  horse.  By 
Judas!  what  a  chance  to  plug  them,  if  I  was  only  forty  rods 
nearer!  Say,  Captain  Selden,  what  if  I  take  two  or  three  men, 
and  send  them  down  that  way  a  little  ?  " 

"No,  Jones,"  replied  Selden,  "our  force  is  too  small  to  scat 
ter.  The  Indians  in  a  few  minutes  more  will  be  upon  us  from 
above;  besides,  we  have  not  a  man  to  lose  in  open  fight.  Let 


308  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  SOYS. 

every  one,  therefore,"  he  continued,  raising  his  voice  to  a  tone  of 
command,  "retire  from  the  bank,  and,  keeping  a  tree  in  his 
range,  repair  directly  to  the  house.  Then  let  them  come  with  a 
welcome." 

"Well,  the.hour  of  trial  is  at  hand,"  observed  the  widow  with 
a  sort  of  desperate  calmness,  "  and  may  God  be  merciful  unto  us. 
Assist  me,  Captain  Hendee,  to  replace  this  timber;  and  then  I 
must  instantly  back  to  bring  down  my  children  and  the  girls. 
The  men  will  reach  the  house  by  the  time  we  can  get  there  our 
selves.  There!  that  will  do— all  safe,  I  think.  Now  follow 
me  as  fast  as  your  crazy  old  limbs  will  let  you — come  on — faster 
— faster — come  on ! — come  on !  "  And  with  the  old  veteran,  tax 
ing  his  powers  of  speed  to  the  utmost  to  keep  up,  the  fearless 
woman,  though  anxious  mother,  with  her  torch  streaming  behind 
her,  rather  flew  than  walked,  till  she  had  gained  the  cellar,  and 
sprang  up  the  ladder  leading  up  into  the  room,  where  she  had 
left  the  objects  of  her  solicitude. 

"Here!"  she  exclaimed,  raising  her  head  through  the  trap, 
and  glancing  round  the  room,  where  the  females,  ignorant  of 
what  had  taken  place  without,  were  unconcernedly  sitting,  with 
the  children  sitting  about  their  chairs,  "here,  to  the  cellar,  every 
chick  and  child  of  you,  to  the  cellar!  And  you,  girls,  must  fol 
low,  without  a  moment's  delay,"  she  added,  seizing  the  little 
urchins  by  the  waist,  and  lifting  them,  one  by  one,  in  rapid  suc 
cession,  down  the  pass-way,  as,  alarmed  by  the  startling  tones  of 
their  mother's  voice,  they  ran  huddling  to  the  entrance. 

"  Is  there  any  immediate  danger  ?  "  asked  Alma,  calmly,  though 
with  an  expression  of  some  surprise,  at  the  rapid  and  agitated 
manner  of  the  widow. 

"Not  for  us,  if  we  are  out  of  the  way;  but  the  torics  are 
crossing  below,  and  the  Indians,  on  this  side  above,  are,  by  this 
time,  perhaps,  within  gun-shot  of  us,  in  the  skirts  of  yonder 
woods." 

"  And  Selden  and  his  men  ?  " — eagerly  said  Jessy. 

"  Will  be  here  in  a  moment  to  make  this  room  their  fortress, 
for  their  own  and  our  protection.  And  a  shower  of  balls,  through 
that  open  door  and  window,  will  probably  salute  them  as  they 
enter." 

"  True,  true,"  observed  Captain  Hendee,  who,  having  crowded 
by  the  widow  on  the  ladder,  and  gained  the  floor,  now  stepped  to 
the  door,  hastily  shut  it,  and  proceeded  to  bring  the  block  for 
closing  up  the  window,  "  true,  this  danger  to  the  girls  and  chil- 


THE    GREEX    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  309 

dren  did  not  occur  to  me,  as  it  seems  it  did  to  you,  by  your  lead 
ing  my  rheumatic  legs  such  a  deuced  race  through  the  passage 
from  the  Creek.  Yes,  girls,  down  with  you  all,  and  on  to  the 
middle  room,  and  have  no  fears  but  that  we  will  defend  you." 

"But  you,  father!"  said  Alma,  looking  back  as  she  was 
descending,  with  an  expression  of  solicitude,  "you  are  surely 
not  to  remain? — you  are  too  old — infirm — 

"I  am  young  again,  girl.  The  thought  of  our  treatment,  and 
the  fate  which  our  foes  evidently  design  for  us  still,  make  me  a 
soldier  again — go  down,  my  daughter,  and  may  God  be  with 
you,  and  strike  for  us  all,"  said  the  old  veteran,  letting  down  the 
trap  upon  the  last  of  the  retiring  party. 

Scarcely  had  the  mingled  voices  of  the  women  and  children 
died  away,  as  they  retreated  along  the  passage  to  their  refuge 
under  the  earth,  before  Selden  and  his  men  came  scattering  along 
into  the  house,  fortunately  not,  however,  with  the  danger  which 
the  widow  had  anticipated.  As  soon  as  the  whole  company,  now 
numbering  but  twelve,  including  Captain  Hendee  and  Neshobee, 
had  gained  the  room,  they  immediately  proceeded  to  barricade 
the  door,  and  put  every  thing  in  the  best  possible  condition  for  a 
defence. 

"While  they  were  busily  engaged,  unmindful  of  the  severe 
fatigues  of  the  day,  in  the  excitement  created  by  the  alarming 
prospects  of  the  night,  which  was  now  about  to  set  in,  the  trap 
door  was  pushed  up,  and  the  provident  widow  reappeared,  ascend 
ing  the  ladder  with  a  large  loaf  of  bread  and  a  haunch  of  dried 
venison  under  one  arm,  and  a  pail  of  water,  in  which  floated  the 
accustomed  gourd-shell,  slung  on  the  other.  With  many  a  bles 
sing  on  the  widow's  head,  and  many  an  oath  to  defend  her  and 
hers  to  the  death,  the  famished  and  wearied  soldiers  eagerly  fell 
upon  the  grateful  repast,  after  which  they  repaired  with  renewed 
spirits  to  the  several  stations  allotted  them,  above  and  below, 
along  the  walls. 

"I  wish  the  rascals  would  make  themselves  manifest,  if  they 
are  around  us,  as  I  suspect,"  observed  Selden,  after  the  company 
had  stood  some  time  at  their  respective  loop-holes,  silently  a  wait* 
ing  the  appearance  of  the  enemy. 

"  That  they  will  be  cunning  enough  not  to  do  till  the  approach 
of  darkness,"  replied  Captain  Hendee.  "  Then  you  will  heat 
from  them,  I'll  warrant  you.  And  as  they  can  have  but  small 
hope  of  perforating  these  logs  with  their  bullets,  they  will  proba- 


310  THE    GREE1?    MOUNTAIN    HOTS. 

bly  attempt  to  beat  down  the  door,  or  burn  the  house   over  our 
heads. 

"  They  will  find  the  latter  a  difficult  job,  I  imagine,"  responded 
Seldcn.  "  These  bare  logs,  after  the  heavy  rain  of  last  night, 
and  that,  too,  at  the  distance  at  which  we  can  manage  to  keep  the 
knaves,  cannot  offer  much  inducement  for  an  attempt  to  ignite 
them  with  lighted  arrows." 

"True,"  replied  the  other,  "but  you  forget  the  roof — these 
bark  coverings  are  rather  combustible." 

" No,  I  thought  of  that,"  rejoined  Selden,  "and  was  about  to 
remark,  that  if  they  fired  the  roof,  we  must  tear  it  off." 

"That  can  be  done,  perhaps,"  replied  the  former.  "At  all 
events,  it  will  be  time  enough  to  think  of  it  when  they  arrive  for 
the  attack;  for  I  doubt  whether  there  is  now  one  of  them  within 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  us." 

"Now,  I've  a  notion  there  is,"  said  Pete  Jones,  who,  in  the 
meanwhile,  had.  been  keenly  watching  every  appearance  within 
the  scope  of  his  vision  "And  I  shouldn't  be  much  surprised  if 
some  of  those  stumps  and  log-heaps  over  in  the  widow's  grass 
yonder,  if  they  could  talk,  would  be  willing  to  swear  to  it." 

"  Have  you  actually  seen  any  of  them,  Jones  ? "  asked  Sel 
den. 

"Why,"  answered  the  scout,  with  his  peculiar  comic  twist  of 
features,  "  I  have  actually  seen  a  sign  or  two,  that  I  have  never 
known  fail,  except  in  the  dryest  of  times.  And  with  your  leave, 
Captain  Selden,  I  have  thoughts  of  an  experiment,  by  way  of  put 
ting  the  question  at  rest,  and  doing  some  thing  more,  perhaps,  in 
to  the  bargain." 

"  Well — very  well — "  said  Selden,  pausing  for  the  other  to  ex 
plain  the  nature  of  his  proposal. 

"  Here  is  at  it,  then,"  said  the  scout,  choosing  to  answer  by  ac 
tions  rather  than  words,  the  enquiry  which  the  manner  of  his 
superior  implied,  while  he  proceeded  to  strip  off  his  coat,  button 
it  up,  and,  with  the  brush  of  an  old  broom  that  stood  in  a  corner, 
distend  the  body,  running  the  short  handle  into  one  arm  to  keep 
the  artificial  limb  thus  made  in  a  horizontal  position . 

' '  What  are  you  a  going  to  do  with  your  scare-crow  now  ?  " 
asked  Selden,  who,  with  the  rest  of  the  company  stood  looking 
on,  anxious  to  learn  the  character  of  the  proposed  stratagem. 

"  I'll  show  you  in  a  minute,"  replied  Pete,  now  getting  the 
poker,  and  suspending  his  contrivance  on  one  end  of  it. 
"There,  Captain  Hendee,  I  want  you  should  take  charge  of  this 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  311 

concern — you'll  know  how  to  manage  it — while  the  rest  of  us, 
who  have  keener  sight  for  aim  in  the  dusk,  will  attend  to  our 
rifles.  But  mind  ye,  I  have  first  got  to  deliver  a  little  bit  of  an 
oration  for  the  benefit  of  the  gentlemen  outside,  if  so  be  that 
they're  within  ear-shot,  as  I  surmise." 

The  scout  then,  after  pulling  out  one  end  of  the  block  in  the 
window  a  short  space,  that  his  voice  might  the  better  be  heard 
by  those  whom  it  was  intended  to  reach,  commenced  and  carried 
on  by  himself  a  sort  of  ventriloquial  dialogue,  purporting  that  a 
discovery  had  suddenly  been  made,  that  they  were  out  of  bullets, 
and  were  wishing  to  obtain  a  bar  of  lead  that  had  been  left  stand 
ing  outside  under  the  window,  while  the  question  seemed  to  be, 
who  should  expose  himself  by  reaching  out  his  hand  to  get  it;  but 
one  at  length  appearing  to  be  found  hardy  enough  to  undertake 
the  task,  the  speaker  suddenly  dropped  the  discourse,  and  turned 
to  the  company  present. 

"  There,  boys,  have  your  muzzles  to  your  loops,  and  your  eyes 
on  the  look-out  for  game,"  he  said,  in  a  low,  eager  tone.  "And 
you,  Captain  Hendee,  be  ready  to  pass  the  figure  up  to  the  window, 
which  I  am  about  to  lay  open,  and  which  all,  as  they  value  the 
union  of  body  and  soul,  must  keep  'out  of  the  range  of.  Don't 
fire  till  I  give  the  word.  All  ready?  well,  here  goes,  then,"  he 
added,  swinging  out  the  block,  and  stepping  quickly  to  his  loop 
hole. 

Captain  Hendee  now  proceeded  immediately  to  execute  the  part 
he  had  been  requested  to  perform.  And  while  the  company  were 
waiting  with  breathless  interest  the  result,  he  moved  along  the 
tffigy  towards  the  window,  so  as  to  show  only  one  arm  and  a  por 
tion  of  the  bust  to  those  who  might  be  watching  without,  skil 
fully  imparting  to  the  figure  the  cautious  and  hesitating  motions 
of  a  living  actor,  who  might  be  supposed  to  be  conscious  of  the 
hazard  incurred,  though  determined  to  approach.  Scarcely  had 
the  protruding  arm  entered  the  narrow  opening,  bringing  one  side 
of  the  body  in  fair  view  to  the  supposed  lurking  enemy  without, 
when  a  bright  flash  suddenly  gleamed  through  the  window,  anc\ 
with  the  almost  simultaneous  report  of  a  dozen  guns,  bursting 
from  the  surrounding  coverts,  a  shower  of  bullets  passed  through 
the  effigy,  and  buried  themselves  in  the  logs  of  the  opposite  wall. 
There  was  again  a  momentary  silence,  when,  with  the  lifting 
Einoke  along  the  line  from  which  the  fire  proceeded,  several  dark 
forms  became  visible,  peering  out  from  their  respective  coverts, 


313  TIIE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS. 

and  quivering  and  dodging  about  in  the  dissipating  vapor.     Then 
came  the  sharp  word  of  command  from  the  watchful  scout. 

"Fire!" 

Eight  well-aimed  rifles  from  the  loops  along  the  walls  above 
and  below,  instantly  spoke  in  response  ;  and  the  mingled  screech 
of  a  half  dozen  voices,  followed  by  a  yell  of  rage  and  disappoint 
ment  from  the  whole  band  of  the  besiegers,  plainly  told  the  result 
of  the  stratagem. 

"  Now  by  hokey !  if  I  don't  keep  this  coat  to  brag  on — six  bul 
let-holes  right  through  the  body,  and  the  owner  still  alive  and 
kicking!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  picking  up  the  riddled  garment, 
and  feeling  out  the  bullet-holes  with  his  fingers,  as  the  loud  shout 
of  exultation  and  defiance,  which  burst  from  the  little  band  on  the 
occasion,  died  away  in  the  surrounding  forest. 

For  nearly  an  hour,  the  besieged,  who  had  closed  up  their  win 
dow,  and  resumed  their  respective  posts,  now  strained  both  ear 
and  eye  in  vain,  to  catch  some  sight  or  sound  indicating  the  pres 
ence  of  the  foe  around  them.  But  fully  aware  of  the  desperate 
and  wily  character  of  those  with  whom  they  had  to  deal,  they  de 
termined  to  suffer  none  of  their  vigilance  to  relax.  And  but  a 
short  time  elapsed,  before  they  made  a  discovery,  which  taught 
them  the  wisdom  of  the  resolution : — As  all  stood  watching  at 
their  posts  in  silence,  a  low,  short  exclamation  from  the  young 
Indian,  testified  that  something  suspicious  had  at  length  attracted 
his  attention. 

"  What  now,  Neshobee?  "  softly  asked  Selden,  stepping  noise 
lessly  towards  the  native,  who  was  lying  on  the  floor  in  one  corner, 
listening  through  a  creviee  which  he  had  found  between  the  lower 
logs. 

"Me  no  see  nothing,  but  haTk  um  scratch  um  buttons — guess  um 
lift  something,'2  was  the  somewhat  hesitating  reply. 

"I'll  grant  you  the  best  'harkum,'  as  you  call  it,  boy,"  said 
Pete  Jones,  who  stood  near,  and,  on  the  exclamation  of  the  Indian, 
had  renewedly  taxed  his  vision  to  discover  the  cause;  "  but  as  to 
eye-shot,  you  have  got  to  knuckle  to  me,  for  I  can  see  them ;  and 
they  are  at  some  bobbery,  too — though  what  in  the  name  of  reason 
it  can  be,"  he  continued,  pausing  and  hesitating,  as  he  turned  his 
head  one  way  and  then  another,  to  obtain  a  more  distinct  view; 
"what  it  can  be,  I  am  dubious  whether  the  divil  himself  can  tell — 
unless  he  contrived  it  for  'om.  They  are  moving  down  the  path 
this  way,  I  believe ;  yes,  and  in  pairs,  too,  like  new-married  geese, 
no — yes,  they  have  got  something  upon  their  shoulders— 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    130 Y&  313 

I  should  think  it  was  one  of  the  corpses  we  made  for  'em,  which 
they  were  carrying  to  be  buried,  only  it  is  as  long  as  a  sea- 
sarpent." 

"Aha!  I  understand  it, "  cried  the  young  leader,  "it  is  some 
long  timber  which  they  intend  to  use  as  a  battering-ram,  to  beat  in 
our  door.  And  thank  Heaven  for  the  timely  discovery,  but  for 
which,  ten  to  one.,  we  had  been  lost, — and  even  as  it  is,  there  is 
danger  enough.  Stand  to  your  guns,  boys,  "he  continued,  in  a 
low,  thrilling  tone,  though  sufficiently  raised  to  reach  every  man 
within,  "  if  we  can  but  drop  two  or  three  of  the  foremost,  the 
whole,  probably,  will  be  carried  down  by  the"  weight  of  the  tim 
ber — Cock  your  guns — keep  a  steady  eye  on  the  advancing  column, 
and  be  ready  for  the  word." 

Slowly,  and  with  noiseless  tread,  did  the  performers  of  this 
new  mode  of  attack  approach  along  the  path,  staggering  under 
the  weight  of  the  long,  heavy  pole,  or  rather  the  trunk  of  a 
closely-trimmed  tree,  which  they  bore  on  their  shoulders,  till 
within  three  or  four  rods  of  the  house ;  when,  squaring  round, 
and  pointing  the  butt  end  of  their  formidable  implement  directly 
at  the  door,  they  began  to  bear  it  forward  with  mighty  force  to 
wards  the  object  of  its  aim,  which,  the  next  instant  must  have 
given  way  before  the  tremendous  impetus  which  it  was  gathering 
for  the  blow.  At  that  critical  juncture,  Selden  gave  the  signal 
to  his  impatient  men,  and  every  gun  that  could  be  brought  to 
bear,  was  discharged  upon  the  assailants.  A  cry  of  agony  rose 
from  the  spot,  followed  with  a  shout  of  "hold  on!  for  God's 
&ake,  hold  on!"  Then  was  heard  the  sounds  of  floundering 
footsteps,  and  in  another  breath,  the  whole  came  thundering  to 
the  ground.  Once  more  the  house  rung  with  the  triumphant 
shouts  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  and  all  again  was  silent. 

Another  long  respite  was  allowed  our  little  band,  and  during 
the  hour  succeeding  the  last  onset,  nothing  could  be  seen  or 
~?.eard  to  betray  the  presence  of  the  enemy  anywhere  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  the  spot.  They  had  evidently  retired  to  some  distance  to 
hold  a  consultation,  and  arrange  some  new  method  of  attack. 
At  length,  however,  the  occasional  cracking  of  a  dry  stick,  as  it 
broke  apparently  under  cautiously-moving  feet  in  the  fields  and 
woods  around,  apprised  the  intently-listening  band  within,  that 
the  twice  baffled  foe  were  again  stealthily  drawing  up  to  the 
spot,  still  bent  on  renewing,  in  some  shape  or  other,  the  assault. 
After  appearing  to  approach  to  their  line  of  coverts,  reaching 
within  five  or  six  rods  of  the  house,  a  dead  silence  of  many 


314  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

minutes  ensued,  leaving  the  besieged  still  wholly  ignorant  of  the 
form  in  which  the  threatened  attack  was  to  be  made,  and  even, 
at  length,  in  some  doubt  whether  it  was  to  be  made  at  all.  All 
at  once  a  tremendous  outcry  broke  through  the  surrounding 
gloom,  and  the  thrilling  yells  of  the  savages,  mingled  with  the 
hoarser  shouts  of  the  tories,  resounded  in  one  unceasing  din 
through  the  forest.  Startled,  but  not  dismayed,  by  this  sudden 
outbreak,  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  instantly  cocked  their  pieces, 
and  stood  straining  their  vision  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  foe. 
But  they  watched  in  vain.  No  living  object  was  to  be  seen, 
though  the  noise,  which  seemed  not  to  be  the  regular  war-cry 
sometimes  raised  on  the  eve  of  an  onset,  but  a  promiscuous 
clamor,  was  continued  without  the  least  intermission.  And  to 
gether  with  the  war-whoop  and  shout,  the  rattling  of  guns  and 
ramrods,  the  crashing  of  dry  brush,  the  beating  of  clubs  against 
trees,  the  mimic  hooting  of  owls,  the  howling  and  bellowing  of 
wild  beasts,  with  all  imaginable  noises,  seemed  to  unite  to  swell 
the  strange  uproar. 

"Well,  now,  if  I  an't  beat,"  exclaimed  Pete  Jones,  as  usual 
the  first  with  his  comments  on  the  occasion.  "I  wonder  if  the 
foolish  satans  expect  to  throw  down  our  walls  of  hard  maple 
logs,  and  well  locked  together  at  the  ends  to  boot,  by  racket  and 
roaring,  as  the  Jewish  militia  did  those  of  old  Jericho,  that  I've 
read  of  in  the  scripter  ?  I  rather  guess  they  will  find  it  a  hard 
go,  unless  they  blow  them  down  with  horns  of  powder,  as  I've 
sometimes  kinder  reckoned  must  be  the  meaning  of  the  good 
book,  in  that  business  I've  just  spoke  of,  seeing  as  how  it  was 
jest  as  easy  for  God  to  make  'em  gunpowder  to  do  it  with,  as 
'twas  manna  to  eat." 

"I  think  it  must  be  a  feint,"  replied  Selden,  "to  cover  some 
design  of  a  more  dangerous  character  than  mere  noise.  An  at 
tack  of  some  kind  is  doubtless  in  preparation  for  us;  but  in  what 
manner  or  place  the  storm  is  to  burst  I  am  wholly  at  loss  to  con 
jecture.  Keep  a  keen  eye  abroad  boys.  And  you,  Neshobee,  go 
immediately  down  through  the  passage  to  the  western  entrance, 
where  you  heard  Captain  Hendee  say  he  would  repair,  when  he 
left  us  a  short  time  ago.  Tell  him  to  keep  a  strict  guard  in  that 
quarter,  and  if  beset,  send  instantly  for  a  reinforcement.  And 
now,  my  brave  lads,"  he  continued,  turning  to  his  men,  "  a  crisis 
may  be  at  hand,  which  will  require  your  coolness  and — but  stay 
— what  means  this  ?  Do  my  eyes  deceive  me,  or  is  it  growing 
lighter  in  the  room?" 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  315 

"  It  is — it  certainly  is!  "  responded  several. 

"The  moon — the  rising  moon!  "  suggested  others." 

"  You  needn't  go  to  blaming  the  moon  for  this,"  coolly  ob 
served  Jones,  "for,  according  to  my  reckoning,  it  wont  be  up 
this  two  hours  " 

"True,"  said  the  leader,  ''though  evidently  reflected  light,  it 
is  not  from  the  moon.  See!  see!  how  rapidly  it  increases!"  he 
continued,  as  a  sort  of  flickering  suffusion  of  light,  weak  and 
scarcely  perceptible  at  first,  but  growing  stronger  and  more  dis 
tinguishable  every  second,  as  if  reflected  from  a  steadily  kindling 
flame  in  some  unseen  point  in  the  heavens,  now  began  dimly  to 
light  up  the  grounds  around  the  house,  and  even  render  objects 
in  the  room  visible.  "  This  light  was  never  made  by  the  enemy 
to  enable  us  to  shoot  them.  There  is  mischief  afoot  somewhere. 
Let  every  man,  then,  stand  to  his  post,  and  let  every  eye  be 
strained  to  discover  the  cause." 

At  that  instant  the  appalling  cry  of  "  fire !  the  roof  is  on  fire !  " 
resounded  through  the  loft  above,  revealing  at  once  to  the  startled 
inmates  below,  the  character  of  the  expected  danger,  and  the 
meaning  of  the  mysterious  uproar,  which  had,  it  was  now  evi 
dent,  enabled  the  enemy  to  approach  the  house,  mount  it  at  the 
corners,  set  fire  in  different  places  to  the  roof  with  their  ready 
prepared  combustibles,  and  descend  and  escape  unheard  and  un 
detected. 

"Cut  the  fastenings  of  the  outside  binders  of  the  roof,  and 
stave  off  every  bark  of  the  covering  that  the  fire  has  reached," 
shouted  the  excited  leader  to  the  men  above. 

' '  It  will  expose  us  to  certain  death  from  the  shot  of  the  enemy, 
to  make  an  opening  while  we  remain  here,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Rip  up  the  floor  between  us,  then,"  promptly  said  Selden, 
"to  give  us  a  chance  to  do  it  from  below  here — off  with  the 
fastenings!  up  with  the  floor!  Hand  us  down  two  or  three  of 
those  longest  plank  for  our  purpose,  and  descend  yourselves  to 
our  assistance.  Lively,  my  men  !  As  you  value  our  salvation,  be 
lively!" 

In  prompt  obedience  to  the  command,  the  men  tore  up  the 
loose  boards  composing  the  floor,  and,  after  passing  down  to  their 
comrades  below  such  as  might  be  needed,  hastily  threw  the  rest 
together  at  the  ends  of  the  loft,  leaving  all  the  inside  of  the  roof 
open  to  the  lower  floor;  when,  swinging  themselves  down  by  the 
bare  beams,  they  joined  in  the  operations  already  then  in  rapid 
progress  upon  the  frail  covering  above,  The  iong  boards  having 


310  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  LOTS. 

been  reared  up  endwise,  and  each  one  placed  in  the  hands  of  two 
strong  men,  were  now  thrust  forcibly  against  the  roof  at  the  dif 
ferent  points  where  the  fires  were  supposed  to  be  burning  on  the 
outside ;  and  several  breaches  were  made,  all  expecting,  that,  by 
the  removal  of  a  few  of  the  barks,  the  flames  might  be  extin 
guished.  But  appearances  soon  taught  them,  that  their  hopes  of 
thus  conquering  the  element  were  wholly  delusive.  The  light 
above,  instead  of  dying  away,  as  portions  of  the  burning  roof 
were  removed,  continued  rapidly  to  increase.  Small  tongues  of 
the  lambent  flames,  began  to  show  themselves  through  the  lateral 
crevices  in  the  covering  in  numerous  places,  quivering,  and  leap 
ing  from  point  to  point  along  the  inner  surface,  while  a  general 
crackling  above,  plainly  told  them  that  the  fire  had  already  spread 
nearly  or  quite  over  the  whole  of  the  outside  of  the  roof.  Per 
ceiving  that  nothing  short  of  unroofing  the  whole  building  would 
stop  the  progress  of  the  flames,  they  now  proceeded  with  re 
newed  vigor  in  their  operations.  Piece  after  piece  of  the  broad 
barks  were  beat  off,  and  hurled  blazing  to  the  ground.  And 
the  work  was  continued  with  unabated  energy,  till  the  last  ves 
tige  of  the  burning  material  had  been  removed,  and  nothing  but 
the  naked  rafters  intervened  between  the  lower  floor,  on 
which  all  our  little  band  were  now  assembled,  and  the  starry 
heavens  above  them. 

"There,  thank  Heaven,  we  are  freed  from  that  danger  at 
last !  "  exclaimed  Selden,  in  tones  of  gratulation,  as  he  threw 
down  the  implement  with  which  he  had  been  assisting  the  men 
in  their  labors. 

"That's  right  enough,"  observed  the  scout,  whose  attention  for 
some  moments  seemed  to  have  been  arrested  by  some  appearance 
he  noticed  through  a  loop-hole.  "All  that  is  right  enough,  may 
hap;  but  while  we  are  putting  up  thanks  for  deliverance  from 
one  danger,  I  am  a  little  suspicious  whether  or  no  we  hadn't  bet 
ter  join  to  'em  a  small  bit  of  a  prayer  to  be  delivered  from  a 
worse  one  that  we've  got  to  see  to  soon,  I've  a  notion — jest  look 
here,  Captain." 

Selden  turned  to  the  spot  occupied  by  the  speaker,  who  stood 
silently  and  successively  pointing  to  the  different  loop-holes  along 
the  walls,  and  the  words  of  the  latter  were  explained.  Flames, 
rising  from  the  ground  on  the  outside,  began  to  be  visible,  and 
their  flickering  points  were  already  darting  up  in  fitful  leaps 
athwart  several  of  the  apertures,  announcing  to  the  dismayed  in 
mates,  that  a  fire  was  in  rapid  progress  on  the  outer  walls  of 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  317 

the  house,  from  combustibles  which  had  been  piled  up  against 
them,  doubtless,  at  the  time  of  firing  the  roof,  and  which  had 
been  kindled  by  fire  placed  there  by  the  enemy,  or  by  burning 
fragments  of  bark  falling  down  from  above.  All  saw  at  a  glance 
that  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  arrest,  by  any  means  now  left 
them,  the  spreading  conflagration,  and  that,  consequently,  the 
house  must  soon  be  relinquished  to  the  devouring  element.  And 
but  a  few  more  moments  had  elapsed,  before  they  were  warned, 
by  the  spouts  of  crakling  flames  now  beginning  to  shoot  up 
above  the  tops  of  the  roofless  walls,  and  by  the  sensibly  increas 
ing  heat  in  the  room,  to  prepare  for  their  retreat  to  their  last 
refuge  in  the  subterraneous  abode  of  their  provident  hostess. 
At  that  instant,  the  voice  of  Sherwood,  the  leader  of  their  foes, 
was  heard  above  the  roaring  of  the  flames,  loudly  calling  on  the 
besieged  to  yield  themselves  as  prisoners,  and  come  forth,  lest 
they  should  perish  in  the  fire. 

"Is  there  a  possibility  of  getting  a  glimpse  of  that  demon 
through  the  loops  ?  "  asked  Selden,  in  a  tone  of  concentrated  bit 
terness.  "  If  there  is,  let  a  rifle  bullet  take  back  his  answer." 

In  pursuance  of  the  suggestion  of  their  leader,  the  men  made 
an  attempt  to  get  a  sight  of  their  foes,  who,  now  sensible  of  their 
advantage,  were  heard  shouting  within  a  few  rods  of  the  house. 
But  it  was  useless ;  for  the  walls,  by  this  time,  were  so  complete 
ly  enveloped  in  fire  and  smoke  as  wholly  to  intercept  the  view  of 
every  object  without. 

"  Let  us  beat  a  retreat,  thon,  for  the  widow's  strong  hold  be 
low,1'  resumed  Selden ;  "  but  let  us  pause  a  moment  to  send  a  glance 
over  yonder  tree-tops,  lest  they  contain  eyes  which  will  discover, 
in  our  movement,  what  I  trust  those  exulting  fiends  do  not,  and 
will  not  suspect,— that  this  is  not  our  last,  nor  best  resource  for 
baffling  their  hellish  purposes." 

The  last  speaker  had  scarcely  ceased,  before  Jones,  who  seemed 
to  have  anticipated  the  object  of  his  superior,  raised  his  rifle  to 
his  shoulder,  preparatory  to  an  aim,  while  his  eye  continued  in-- 
tently  fixed  on  the  body  of  a  large  hemlock  standing  eight  or  ten 
rods  from  the  house. 

"What  now,  Jones  ?"  said  the  former,  who  noticed  the  sud 
den  movement  of  the  scout. 

"  Hold  easy !  "  replied  the  other,  "  there's  something  that  acts 
mightily  like  a  red-skin  going  up  the  back  side  of  that  tree  yon 
der.  But  he's  so  pesky  delicate  about  showing  any  thing  better 
than  toes  and  fingers — stay — stay  "—he  continued,  in  a  low 


318  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOYS. 

gleeful  chuckle,  "  there's  a  large  limb  just  above  him,  which,  if 
he's  fool  enough  to  try  to  pass  it,  must  throw  his  body  out  of  the 
track  so  far  that — and,  by  Jethro !  he  is  a  going  to  try  it.  Now 
hold  still  as  thunder,  all,  and  I'll  be  the  chap  to  speak  to  the  red 
divil." 

Every  eye  now  glanced  anxiously  from  the  long  and  steadily 
poised  tube  of  the  scout  to  the  tree  in  question,  and  a  moment  of 
breathless  silence  succeeded ;  when  the  sharp  report  of  the  piece 
rung  through  the  forest,  and  the  dull,  heavy  jar  upon  the  earth, 
that  instantly  followed,  told  that  another  foeman  was  added  to 
the  long  list  of  victims  who  had  fallen  beneath  the  murderous 
bullets  of  the  unerring  old  Trusty. 

"Down!  down  with  you  all,  before  the  smoke  of  the  piece 
rises,"  exclaimed  Selden,  as  he  now,  after  hurrying  his  men 
through  the  trap  into  the  cellar,  hastily  descended  himself  and  let 
the  door  down  after  him. 


CHAPTER  Xm. 


"  The  waves  a  moment  backward  bent— 
The  hills  that  shake,  although  tmrent, 
As  if  an  earthquake  pass'd— 
The  thousand  shapeless  things  all  driven 
In  cloud  and  flame  athwart  the  heaven, 
By  that  tremendous  blast." 


LEAVING  the  burning  building  to  its  fate,  Selden  and  his  men 
immediately  entered  the  dark  avenue  below,  when,  after  block 
ing  up  the  mouth  as  well  as  they  could,  with  earth  and  stones 
taken  from  the  cellar  wall,  to  keep  out  the  smoke,  as  well  as  to 
secure  it  against  the  discovery  and  entrance  of  the  enemy,  should 
they  break  into  the  house  before  the  progress  of  the  flames  in  the 
interior  should  prevent  them,  they  proceeded  directly  to  the 
middle  excavation.  Here  they  met  their  hostess  walking  with 
restless  steps  and  anxious  looks  to  and  fro  before  the  curtained 
apartment  containing  her  family. 

"Well,  Mrs.  Story,"  said  Selden,  as  he  approached  at  the  head 


THE    GHEEN    MOUNTAIN    SOTS.  319 

of  his  followers,  "  I  regret  to  inform  you  that  your  house  is  irre 
coverably  011  fire.  We  have  done  our  best  to  avert  the  catastro 
phe,  but  have  wholly  failed,  aud  even  have  been  driven  to  retreat 
to  your  refuge  for  our  own  safety.'' 

"I  know  it,"  replied  the  widow,  "I  have  been  up  to  the  mouth 
of  the  passage  to  listen  every  five  minutes,  and  know  all  that  has 
happened.  But  let  the  house  go — all— every  thing,  and  I  am 
content  if  my  treasures  here,"  she  continued,  with  a  slight  tremor 
of  voice  as  she  pointed  towards  the  curtained  recess,  "  if  my 
treasures  here  can  but  be  spared  me.  The  little  fellows,  thank 
Heaven,  are  now  all  asleep,  and  know  nothing  of  the  dangers 
that  hang  over  them.  And  God  grant  that  they  may  remain  so 
till  the  hatchets  of  the  hell-hounds  now  yelling  above  us  shall,— 
if  it  is  so  ordered  of  Heaven,— shall  be  buried  in  their"— here 
choking  with  emotion  at  the  horrid  thought  which  her  imagina 
tion  began  to  suggest,  she  stopped  short  and  was  for  a  moment 
silent. 

"  Captain  Selden,"  she  at  length  resumed,  "were  my  own  per 
sonal  safety  alone  concerned,  I  think  I  could  follow  you  to  the 
cannon's  mouth  without  flinching.  But  when  I  find  the  lives  of 
my  children  at  stake,  the  mother  instantly  prevails  within  me, 
and  I  become,  in  spite  of  all  I  can  do,  a  poor  trembling  coward. 
But  enough  of  this— have  you  any  reason  to  suspect  the  enemy 
are  aware  of  our  place  of  refuge  ? " 

"None  whatever;  and  even  at  the  worst,  we  think  you  have 
but  little  to  fear.  But  where  are  the  girls  ?  " 

"  Alma  and  Jessy  are  in  yonder  room  guarding  the  hollow  stub 
through  which  the  smoke  of  our  fire-place  escapes,  lest  some  of 
the  enemy  should  discover  that  avenue  to  the  room,  and  attempt 
to  descend." 

"Nobly  employed!  But  the  duty  shall  now  be  done  by  fitter 
hands,"  said  Selden,  as,  followed  by  his  men,  he  passed  on  to  the 
main  apartment. 

On  reaching  the  room  they  found  the  girls,  as  the  widow  had 
named,  stationed  before  the  rude  fire-place.  Alma  was  sitting 
upon  a  block  in  an  attitude  which  would  enable  her  to  hear  the 
least  sound  connected  with  the  hollow  trunk  above ;  while  her 
more  volatile  companion,  having  chosen  the  part  of  sentry,  was 
silently  walking  back  and  forth  before  the  hearth  with  the 
widow's  rifle  in  her  hand.  Nor  was  this  weapon  their  only  de 
pendence:  a  quantity  of  loose  straw  was  lying  in  the  fire-place, 
and  a  slow  burning  torch  was  at  hand  to  apply  and  set  the  com- 


320  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

bustible  material  into  a  blaze  the  instant  any  one  should  attempt 
to  enter  the  cavity  above. 

"Bravo!  ladies,"  exclaimed  Selden  as  he  approached,  "I 
don't  now  remember  me,"  he  continued,  eying  Jessy  archly,  "to 
have  seen  so  heroic  a  display  of  this  character  since  whilom  at 
the  bloody  siege  of  the  Lower  Falls." 

"Now,  Captain  Selden,"  replied  the  other  with  a  half  resent 
ful,  half  deprecating  look,  "  if  you  ever  mention  that  affair  again, 
I  will  never — positively — never  forgive  you.  Besides,  how  can 
you  feel  like  joking  at  such  an  hour  as  this  ? " 

"For  ourselves  we  tremble  not,"  interposed  Miss  Hendee,  ris 
ing  and  turning  to  Selden  with  her  usual  calm  dignity  of  manner; 
"but  think  of  that  distressed  mother  and  her  helpless  family, 
upon  whose  heads  we  have  brought  this  fearful  peril!  " 

"Heaven  forbid  that  we  should  be  unmindful  of  them,"  re 
joined  the  young  leader,  seriously;  "  and  believe  me,  Miss  Hen- 
dee,  there  is  not  a  man, — not  a  single  man  of  us  here,  who,  if 
need  be,  would  hesitate  to  shed  his  heart's  blood  in  her  defence. 
But  we  will  now  relieve  you  of  your  charge  here,  ladies.  Retire 
then,  and,  if  possible,  to  rest  and  slumber  ;  for  I  well  know 
your  exhausted  systems  must,  by  this  time,  require  both.  Go, 
girls,"  he  added,  conducting  them  to  the  entrance  of  the  pas 
sage  leading  to  the  apartment  of  their  hostess,  "go, — keep 
up  bright  hopes,  and  rely  on  our  disposition  and  ability  to  de 
fend  you." 

As  soon  as  the  ladies  had  retired,  a  guard  was  selected  to  sup 
ply  the  place  they  had  just  relinquished,  and  another  was  or 
dered  to  relieve  Captain  Hendee  and  his  faithful  attendant  at 
the  western  entrance.  The  remainder  of  the  men,  glad  to  seize 
every  moment  offered  them  for  rest,  mostly  threw  themselves 
upon  the  earthy  floor,  and  fell  asleep,  while  Selden  and  Captain 
Hendee,  willing  to  leave  them  to  what  repose  they  might  thus 
snatch  from  the  duties  to  which  they  were  liable  the  next  instant 
to  be  called,  repaired  to  the  small  partitioned  room  adjoining,  to 
hold  a  consultation  and,  be  ready  for  any  movements  which 
might  be  made  by  their  persevering  foes.  A  brief  period  of 
comparative  silence  now  succeeded,  in  which  nothing  was  to  be 
heard  below  but  the  deep,  heavy  snoring  of  the  wearied  men, 
and  the  low,  dull  roaring  of  the  flames  above.  Slight  jarrings  of 
the  earth,  however,  showing  that  the  enemy  were  again  in  mo 
tion,  at  length  began  to  be  perceptible  below ;  and  soon  the  un 
expected  sounds  of  the  blows  of  axes  or  hatchets  were  added  to 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  321 

other  indications  of  some  fresh  project  about  to  be  attempted  by 
the  besiegers,  the  nature  and  object  of  which  the  besieged  had 
now  no  means  of  ascertaining. 

"  Now  that  just  settles  the  question ;  for  I'll  be  blest  if  I  stand 
it  any  longer,"  exclaimed  Jones,  who  had  for  some  time  mani 
fested  signs  of  uneasiness  as  he  sat  listening  to  the  movements 
above  ground,  and  who,  as  the  last  sound  struck  his  ear,  sprang 
upon  his  feet,  and  began  with  restless  steps,  to  pace  the  apart 
ment.  "To  be  cribbed  and  holed  up  here  like  so  many  hunted 
foxes,  with  forty  devils  over  our  heads,  who  may  be  preparing  to 
send  down  one  of  those  great  hemlocks  to  smash  us  like  midgets, 
for  any  thing  we  know,  or  fixing  some  other  contrivance  for  us 
not  much  better,  and  all  without  allowing  us  the  least  chance  to 
know  the  how,  when  and  whereabouts,  is  a  thing  I  don't  fancy. 
And  if  I  can  get  out  there  at  the  Creek,  I  swow  by  Lucifer's  red 
taffeta  jacket,  I'll  jest  know  what  they  are  up  to  there  above 
ground." 

"What  do  you  propose  to  do,  Jones?"  asked  Selden,  who, 
overhearing  part  of  the  scout's  soliloquy,  now  entered  the  room; 
"  not  to  go  out,  and  alone,  surely  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  I  jest  do,  Captain — that  is,  unless  you  swear  right 
down  I  shan't." 

"  But  consider  the  danger  of  its  leading  to  a  discovery  of  our 
refuge,  and  the  fearful  personal  risk  you  must  encounter." 

"And  then  again  consider  the  chance  that  the  satans  have  smelt 
out  that  secret  already,  or,  at  the  best,  that  they  will,  when  the 
house  falls  in,  and  they  find  we  an't  there.  And  as  to  my  own 
risk  in  the  matter,  I  think  you  hadn't  ought  to  grumble  much,  if 
I  don't,  considering,"  said  the  scout,  taking  the  other's  remarks 
for  a  consent  to  his  proposed  excursion,  and  moving  towards  the 
entrance. 

;'  Jones,  you  shall  not  go  alone — it  shall  never  be  said  I  suffered 
that,"  said  Selden,  calling  after  the  scout,  and  snatching  up  a  rifle, 
and  following  him  into  the  passage. 

Although  Selden  had  given  way  to  the  proposal  of  the  scout 
with  a  mind  nearly  balanced  between  the  dangers  which  might  be 
averted,  and  those  which  might  be  incurred  by  the  measure,  yet, 
having  once  decided  to  permit  and  take  part  in  it  himself,  he  threw 
aside  all  his  doubts,  and  proceeded  to  carry  it  into  instant  execu 
tion.  And  having  ordered  the  guard  at  this  post  to  be  doubled, 
and  leaving  the  command  with  Captain  Hendee,  to  act  as  circum 
stances  should  dictate,  the  two  adventurers  removed  a  portion  of 


823  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

the  block-work  at  the  mouth  of  the  passage  sufli'-ient  for  an  egress, 
crept  cautiously  and  silently  out  into  the  open  air,  and  soon  gained 
the  top  of  the  bank  above,  unmolested.  Here  they  paused  a  mo 
ment  to  listen  and  reconnoiter ;  and  perceiving  no  signs  of  the 
presence  of  any  enemy,  except  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
burning  tenement,  and  being  thus  relieved  from  their  fears  of  an 
ambush  at  this  spot,  which  they  considered  the  greatest  personal 
hazard  that  they  would  be  likely  to  incur,  they  again  set  forward 
towards  the  scene  of  action,  by  separate  and  slightly-diverging 
routes,  under  the  agreement  that  each  should  return  by  himself, 
and  as  speedily  as  possible,  after  obtaining  the  best  knowledge  of 
the  situation  and  movements  of  the  enemy  of  which  the  case  would 
admit.  Carefully  keeping  within  the  shadow  of  a  tree  or  bush, 
lest  the  light  of  the  conflagration,  which  was  brightly  illuminating 
every  open  space  in  the  woods  around,  should  expose  him  to  the 
view  of  the  enemy,  Selden,  after  leaving  his  companion,  crawled 
noiselessly  on  to  the  border  of  the  woods,  where  he  soon  succeeded 
in  gaining  a  position  in  a  thick  clump  of  low  evergreens,  which 
luckily  afforded  him  every  chance  he  could  wish  for  observation. 
The  greater  part  of  the  enemy  were  still  at  their  stations,  a  short 
distance  from  the  house,  where  they  stood,  peering  over  their 
coverts,  with  their  guns  leveled  at  the  door,  which  they  were 
evidently  each  moment  expecting  to  see  thrown  open  by  the  be- 
bieged,  whom  the  flames,  they  supposed,  must  soon  drive  from  the 
house.  A  small  band  was  busily  engaged  in  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  some  eight  or  ten  rods  to  his  left,  in  trimming  out  with 
their  hatchets  a  small  spruce  tree,  which  they  had  just  cut  down, 
and  which,  he  at  once  concluded,  was  to  be  used  as  another 
battering-ram;  the  former  one  being  found  by  them,  probably, 
too  unwieldly  for  their  purpose.  While  Selden  stood  making 
these  observations,  he  heard  the  steps  and  voioes  of  persons  in  the 
open  grounds,  apparently  approaching  from  tlio  spot  at  which  the 
engine  was  preparing,  and,  turning  his  head,  he  was  soon  enabled 
to  see  two  men  coming  from  a  nook  in  the  clearing  some  rods  to 
his  left,  of  which  his  situation  had  not  permitted  him  a  full  view. 
Passing  along  near  the  woods,  they  soon  came  between  him  and 
the  burning  pile,  when  they  slackened  their  pace;  and  finally  com 
ing  to  a  stand  a  little  to  his  right,  they  turned  their  faces  towards 
the  fire.  With  the  first  flash  of  light  that  fell  upon  their  features, 
S 'Idcn  instantly  recognized  in  one  of  them  Sherwood,  tho  leader 
of  the  band.  The  other  he  rightly  judged  to  be  Darrow,  the  reck 
less  minion  of  the  former.  Selden's  rifle  was  instinctively  brought 


TBE    GREEK    MOUNT 'AW    KOYR.  823 

to  his  face,  with  an  aim  at  Sherwood's  heart,  and  his  finger  was 
feeling  for  the  trigger,  when  prudence  overcame  the  temptation  of 
ending  the  life  of  the  villain,  and  slowly  and  reluctantly  lowering 
his  piece,  he  gave  his  attention  to  the  dialogue  which  now  ensued 
between  these  two  worthies. 

"  Yes,  the  tables  are  now  turned,  Darrow,"  were  the  first  words 
that  became  distinctly  audible  to  our  listener.  "We  have  now, 
singularly  enough,  chased  them  round  nearly  to  the  spot  where 
this  same  accursed  Selden  was  one  of  the  foremost  of  the  gang  to 
have  me  tied  up  and  whipped  like  some  scurvy  thief.  And  if  he 
is  the  same  fellow  you  saw  in  the  woods,  near  Crown  Point — " 

"That  I  can  swear  to." 

"And  if  you  are  right  in  your  suspicions  as  to  the  other  par 
ticular — " 

"I  am  more  and  more  convinced  of  it,  Jake." 

"  Well,  I  got  one  glance  at  his  features  to-day,  and,  come  to  look 
at  him  with  that  object,  I  swear,  I  believe  you  are  right;  and  if  so, 
both  interest  and  revenge  demands  his  death  while  he  is  in  our 
power.  But  I  should  prefer  to  have  this  brought  about  before 
they  surrender;  and  that  was  the  reason  of  my  particular  orders  to 
the  men  to  pick  him  off  as  soon  as  possible." 

"Yes,  and  how  the  devil  it  has  happened,  that  he  has  so  long 
escaped  the  effects  of  that  order,  is  more  than  I  can  tell.  I  have 
hud  four  fair  shots  at  the  fellow  myself  in  the  course  of  the  chase 
to-day;  and  two  or  three  of  the  men  say  they  have  tried  it  with 
the  same  luck.  H?  stands  fire  like  a  salamander,"  added  the 
ruffian,  with  a  ferocious  grin  at  his  own  wit,  "  and,  by  hell!  I  am 
beginning  to  think  they  are  all  of  that  sort  of  animals,  to  stand 
out  there  in  the  flames  at  this  rate." 

"Well,  the  worst  is  their  own,  damn  'em,"  rejoined  Sherwood, 
with  a  demoniac  laugh;  "  and  if  they  do  get  baked  a  little,  it  is 
no  more  than  they  deserve.  But  the  fact  is,  they  must  have  been 
driven  out  long  ago,  if  they  had  not  contrived  some  way  to 
keop  out  the  flames — the  one,  probably,  which  I  suggested,  that 
of  bringing  earth  from  the  cellar,  and  strewing  it  over  the  upper 
floor." 

"  And  still  they  must  know,  that  in  fifteen  minutes  more,  they 
will  all  buried  beneath  a  blazing  log-heap." 

"True;  and  I  am  surprised,  I  will  own,  that  they  don't  throw 
open  the  door,  and  call  for  quarters.  But  we  will  now  very  soon 
save  them  the  trouble,  as  I  see  our  men  are  just  starting  with 
their  battering- pole  to  beat  in  the  door." 


324  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    ROYS. 

"I  see;  and  I  am  glad  they  have  got  it  \mder  way,  at  last 
for  that  will  tell  the  story,  devilish  quick ;  and  to  tell  the  truth, 
Jake,  I  arn  plaguy  suspicious  of  some  trick  about  this  business." 

"Well,  if  there  is,  this  will  be  the  best  way  to  discover  it;  but 
had  not  you  better  go  and  take  the  command  ?  " 

11  No;  Remington  will  know  how  to  manage." 

"Have  you  given  him  and  the  men  their  orders  ?  " 

"Yes — To  let  drive  at  the  door  with  all  vengeance." 

"  And  in  case  they  rush  out  ?  " 

"Why,  shoot  down  the  men,  and  spare  the  women  for  our 
use." 

"  And  supposing  they  cry  for  quarters  ?  " 

"Remington  is  to  grant  them;  but  three  or  four  of  such  marks 
men  as  he  shall  select,  are  not  to  understand  the  order  till  they 
have  dropped  Selden  on  your  account,  the  old  Captain  on  mine, 
and  that  long-legged  devil,  who  has  settled  the  fate  of  so  many 
of  their  companions  to-day  on  their  own." 

"All  right,  Darrow ;  but  come,  let  us  move  a  little  to  the  south, 
where  we  can  get  a  fairer  view  of  the  door,  when  they  make  the 
trial,  and  where,  at  the  same  time,  we  shall  be  out  of  the  range 
of  the  bullets,  should  the  rascals  be  desperate  enough  to  attempt 
to  fire  upon  us  again." 

It  was  with  no  small  effort  that  Selden  restrained  himself  from 
taking  immediate  vengeance  on  the  black-hearted  villain  before 
him,  as  he  listened  in  silence  to  the  foregoing  dialogue,  and  dis 
covered  the  extent  of  his  diabolical  designs.  The  consciousness, 
however,  that  the  lives  of  many — and  among  them,  one  whose 
life  was  dearer  to  him  than  his  own — might  be  endangered  by 
the  act,  enabled  him  to  master  his  feelings  to  the  end  of  the  dis 
course.  And  the  objects  of  his  indignation  having  now  with 
drawn  themselves  from  his  view,  he  gave  his  attention,  in  com 
mon  with  his  foes,  to  the  operations  about  to  be  commenced  on 
the  house,  being  anxious  to  witness  the  result,  to  see  to  what  dis 
coveries  it  might  lead,  and  to  what  new  movements  it  might  give 
rise,  among  the  enemy,  before  retreating  from  the  ground  :  nor 
had  he  to  wait  long  for  that  object.  The  new  battering  imple 
ment,  when  once  fairly  placed  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  party 
immediately  in  charge  of  it,  was  borne  round  to  the  front  side  of 
the  house,  where  it  was  transferred  to  the  shoulders  of  those 
selected  to  employ  it  against  the  door.  For  the  next  succeeding 
moment,  as  the  engine  was  being  poised  and  directed  to  the  ob 
ject  of  Its  aim,  a  breathless  silence  ensued,  broken  only  by  the 


77777    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    POTS.  325 

sharp  clicking  of  cocking  rifles,  now  heard  in  every  direction, 
while  the  dark  forms  of  the  enemy  were  seen  slinking  behind 
the  different  objects  of  the  lighted  landscape,  and  protruding  their 
long,  death-commissioned  tubes,  in  readiness  for  the  expected 
rush  of  the  besieged  from  the  house,  the  instant  the  interior 
should  be  laid  open. 

"All  ready?— ahead  with  it,  then!"  now  shouted  the  in- 
famous  villain  to  whom  the  command  of  the  assaulting  party  had 
been  entrusted — "ahead  with  it,  as  if  the  devil  drove  it  on 
end!  " 

Starting  at  the  word,  the  men  shot  forward  the  butt  end  of 
their  engine  with  a  desperate  effort  towards  its  object.  It  struck ; 
and  the  massy  door  flew  nearly  to  the  opposite  wall  of  the  blazing 
interior;  while  the  sides  of  the  fabric,  already  loosened,  and 
about  to  separate  at  the  corners,  from  the  action  of  the  fire,  after 
tottering  a  moment  at  the  violent  jar  imparted  by  the  blow,  grad 
ually  swayed  inward,  and  finally  came  down  in  a  mass  of  red 
ruins  over  the  cellar,  sending  up  to  the  tops  of  the  neighboring 
trees,  a  broad  gush  of  flames,  that  flashed  far  and  wide  over  the 
surrounding  wilderness. 

The  enemy,  to  whom  this  result  was  wholly  unexpected,  looked 
on  in  mute  astonishment,  not  unmingled,  apparently,  with  some 
feelings  of  horror,  at  the  terrific  fate,  which  they  took  for  grant 
ed  had  befallen  every  soul  of  the  besieged. 

"The  devil!  "  at  length  exclaimed  Sherwood,  awakening  from 
the  stupor  of  the  surprise  into  which  he  seemed  to  have  been 
thrown  by  the  event—"  so  they  have  all  gone  to  hell  together!  " 

"That  don't  follow,  by  a  damned  sight!"  bluntly  replied 
Darrovv. 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that,  Bill  ?  "  asked  the  former,  turning 
hastily,  and  with  an  air  of  concern,  to  his  minion. 

"  They  have  escaped,  Jake!  " 

"In  the  name  of  hell,  how  ? " 

"Don't  know;  but  depend  on't  they  hare.  Why,  do  you 
think  them  such  cursed  fools  as  to  stay  there  to  be  roasted  alive, 
when  the  worst  they  could  fear  from  rushing  out,  would  be  the 
ten-fold  preferable  death  by  the  bullet?  Never!  I  tell  you 
they  have  found  some  way  of  escape — probably  by  a  drain,  or 
passage  from  the  cellar  into  the  woods.  It  began  to  creep 
through  my  hair  some  time  ago,  but  you  was  so  confident — " 

"Damnation  seize  me  for  a  dolt!"  exclaimed  the  enraged 
leader,  "llo!  there,  men,  the  game  has  slipped  through  our 


326  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOY8. 

fingers — to  the  woods!  to  the  woods,  for  the  trail!"  he  added, 
springing  forward  himself  to  take  the  lead  in  the  execution  of 
the  order.  And  so  sudden  and  unexpected  was  the  movement, 
that  before  Selden  had  become  fairly  aware  of  the  dangers  of 
his  situation,  Sherwood  and  Darrow  had  entered  the  woods  but  a 
few  rods  to  the  south,  and  were  rapidly  approaching  the  spot 
where  he  stood  concealed.  Deeming  it  impossible  now  to  re 
treat  for  his  refuge  undetected,  and  thinking  there  might  be  a 
chance  that  they  would  pass  by  without  discovering  him,  which 
would  still  leave  him  time  to  escape  before  others  of  the  enemy 
could  arrive,  he  prepared  his  arms,  and  silently  awaited  the 
approach  of  these  two  deadliest  of  his  foes.  They  came  nearly 
abreast  of  him,  and  were  passing  by,  when  the  motion  of  his 
shadow,  which  was  cast  by  the  bright  flames  of  the  burning  pile 
across  their  path,  caught  their  sight,  and  caused  them  to  stop 
short.  Turning  round  for  the  object,  their  eyes  fell  upon  the 
other,  and  they  gazed  at  him  an  instant  in  evident  doubt  and  sur 
prise. 

"  The  very  fellow,  by  hell!  "  eagerly  muttered  Darrow,  in  an 
undertone  to  his  companion. 

All  three  simultaneously  raised  their  weapons  and  fired.  But 
in  taking  a  hasty  step  forward,  Selden's  foot,  as  fortunately  for 
him,  perhaps,  as  for  one  of  his  foes,  became  entangled  in  a  small 
bush,  and  in  the  act  of  discharging  his  piece,  he  fell  to  the 
ground.  The  bullets  of  his  foes  whistled  harmlessly  over  his 
head,  while  his  own,  for  the  same  reason,  missed  the  object  of  its 
aim.  Leaping  forward  in  the  smoke,  the  desperadoes  both  grap 
pled  with  their  unprepared  antagonist,  before  he  could  gain  his 
footing,  and  throwing  him  back  upon  the  ground,  drew  their 
knives  to  dispatch  him.  As  Selden  was  about  to  shut  his  eyes 
in  anticipation  of  the  fatal  blow,  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  well 
known  figure  of  the  tall  scout,  coming  with  tremendous  bounds  to 
the  spot.  And  the  next  instant,  Darrow,  as  he  turned,  and  was 
starting  up  at  the  unexpected  apparition,  received  a  blow  over 
his  head  and  shoulders  from  the  clubbed  rifle  of  the  former,  that 
sent  him  reeling  to  the  earth ;  while  Sherwood  was  seized  by  the 
same  powerful  hand,  and  dashed  against  a  tree  with  a  force  that 
laid  him  nearly  senseless  by  the  side  of  his  disabled  companion. 

The  surprise  of  Jones  was  equaled  only  by  his  joy,  as  Selden, 
whom  he  supposed'at  least  badly  wounded,  and  whom  he  was 
about  to  grasp  and  bear  off  in  his  arms,  now  sprang  upom  his  feet 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  327 

unhurt,  and  drawing  his  rapier,  turned  to  add  the  finishing  blow 
to  his  two  still  prostrate,  but  fast  reviving  antagonists. 

At  that  instant,  the  shout  of  rallying  foes,  hurrying  to  the  res 
cue,  and  already  entering  the  border  of  the  woods,  not  twenty 
yards  distant,  broke  upon  their  ears,  warning  them  of  the  neces 
sity  of  immediate  flight. 

"By  Moses!  we  must  leg  it,  Captain,"  said  the  scout,  as, 
reluctantly  relinquishing  their  object,  they  both  darted  away  from 
the  spot,  and,  throwing  each  a  tree  in  the  range  behind  him,  com 
menced  a  rapid  retreat  towards  the  refuge  they  had  just  left.  In 
another  moment  they  had  reached  the  Creek,  thrown  themselves 
over  the  bank,  entered  the  passage,  and  were  in  the  embrace  of 
their  alarmed  and  anxious  friends,  while  the  woods  above  were 
resounding  with  the  hideous  yells  of  the  disappointed  foe,  running 
about  in  search  of  the  missing  objects  of  their  rage. 

Our  band,  having  but  little  reason  to  hope  that  their  retreat 
would  now  long  remain  undiscovered,  immediately  set  about  such 
preparations  as  were  deemed  necessary  for  its  defence.  The 
short  timbers,  composing  the  barrier  near  the  mouth  of  the  pas 
sage,  were  more  firmly  secured;  while  convenient  loop-holes 
were  formed  by  raising  some  of  the  upper  timbers,  and  inserting, 
at  intervals,  flat  stones  between  them.  An  efficient  guard,  with 
muskets  and  fixed  bayonets,  were  then  stationed  at  the  spot,  the 
charge  of  which  was  entrusted  to  the  brave  and  trusty  scout. 
This  and  the  other  arrangements  being  completed,  they  awaited 
in  silent  anxiety  the  approaching  crisis  of  their  fate,  all  intently 
listening,  from  the  different  stations  allotted  them  in  the  rooms, 
or  along  the  passages,  for  some  sound  which  should  indicate  in 
what  shape  and  direction  the  expected  assault  was  to  be  made. 
They  were  not  long  in  suspense.  The  sound  of  suppressed  and 
eager  voices,  and  cautiously  treading  feet,  fast  gathering  on  the 
bank  above,  soon  apprised  them  that  the  entrance  to  their  re 
treat  was  discovered.  For  some  time,  however,  the  enemy 
seemed  wary  and  fearful  about  showing  their  persons  in  front  of 
the  passage.  But,  after  appearing  to  listen  awhile,  first  one, 
and  then  another,  ventured  out  abreast  of  the  barricade  across 
the  passage,  which  was  situated  about  a  yard  from  its  mouth.  In 
the  mean  time  Jones  and  his  men  stood  within,  holding  their 
breath  in  motionless  silence,  with  their  bayonets  in  their  loops, 
and  their  eyes  eagerly  fixed  on  their  marked  victims,  who,  feel 
ing  their  dark  way  with  the  muzzles  of  their  guns,  were  slowly 
and  cautiously  approaching  within  reach  of  the  murderous  blade* 


328  THE    GRE1EN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

of  those  of  whose  dangerous  proximity  they  were  wholly  unaware 
The  assailants,  now  striking  the  barricade  with  their  guns, 
paused,  and  seemed  to  hesitate;  but,  after  again  listening  a  mo 
ment,  they  withdrew  their  pieces,  and,  corning  up  to  the  timbers, 
were  beginning  to  feel  with  their  hands,  apparently  to  ascertain 
the  nature  of  the  obstruction;  when  the  death-doing  bayonet:: 
were  suddenly  thrust  forth,  and,  with  horrid  shrieks,  the  pierced 
and  recoiling  wretches  sprang  back,  and  fell  over  with  a  heavy 
splash  into  the  water  below. 

Warned  by  the  fearful  reception  of  their  comrades,  the  enemy 
rentured  not  again  to  appear  before  the  mouth  of  the  passage, 
but  soon  retired  from  the  bank,  and  for  a  long  time  gave  the  be 
sieged  no  further  cause  of  alarm.  So  profoundly  still  indeed, 
was  all  above,  that  our  little  garrison  at  length  entertained  a 
strong  hope  that  their  assailants,  grown  wise  by  the  lessons  they 
had  already  received,  had  given  up  their  design,  and  made  a  final 
retreat  from  the  place.  The  soldiers  gradually  relaxed  from  that 
stern  and  determined  air  which  the  exigencies  of  their  situation 
had  thrown  over  their  war-worn  visages,  and  began  to  exchange 
the  careless  remark  or  sportive  jest.  Mrs.  Story,  and  the  other 
females,  venturing  from  their  secluded  refuge,  came  out  into  the 
main  room,  to  hear  from  their  gallant  defenders  a  recital  of  the 
various  occurrences  of  the  night,  to  the  deadened  and  imperfect 
sounds  of  which  they  had  been  listening  for  many  hours  with  the 
most  painful  anxiety.  These  were  accordingly  narrated.  And 
every  individual  feat  accomplished,  or  peril  encountered,  was 
made  the  theme  of  praise  or  gratulation  to  the  different  actors 
of  the  occasion;  while  to  wind  up,  Pete  Jones,  with  his  char 
acteristic  waggish  gravity,  displayed  to  the  astonished  ladies 
his  bullet-riddled  coat,  as  a  proof  that  his  case  afforded  a  climax 
to  all  the  hair-breath  escapes  of  the  night.  As  the  attention 
of  the  company  was  thus  engaged,  and  at  the  instant  when 
the  eyes  of  all,  including  those  set  to  guard  against  the  descent 
of  the  foe  down  the  hollow  stub  before  described,  were  turned 
upon  the  scout,  a  savage  warrior  dropped  silently  upon  the 
hearth,  and  rearing  himself  partially  from  his  crouching  attitude, 
and  throwing  a  keen,  rapid  glance  around  the  apartment,  glided 
swiftly  through  the  assembled  group,  and  darted  into  the  dark 
passage  leading  into  the  interior  room,  where  the  children  were 
left  unguarded.  So  sudden,  so  noiseless  and  shadow  like,  had  he 
entered,  passed  through  them,  and  disappeared,  that  few  heeded, 
and  still  fewer  became  fully  aware  of  the  character  of  the  ap< 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  329 

parition.  The  eagle-eyed  vigilance  of  the  mother  was  not,  how 
ever,  thus  to  be  eluded.  She  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  flitting 
form  of  the  savage,  as  he  entered  the  passage ;  and,  with  the 
heart-rending  exclaimation,  "My  children!  Oh!  my  children!" 
she  sprang  forward  like  a  maddened  tigress,  and  disappeared  ir 
the  passage  after  him. 

"A  light!  follow  instantly  with  a  light!"  shouted  Selden, 
drawing  his  sword,  and  rushing  into  the  dark  avenue  to  defend 
or  rescue  the  frantic  mother  and  her  perilled  children  from  the 
deadly  knife  of  their  merciless  foe.  He  had  scarcely  passed  the 
entrance,  however,  before  he  was  met  by  the  intrepid  woman, 
dragging  back,  with  resistless  force,  j;hc  struggling  savage,  who 
had  been  overtaken  while  grouping  his  uncertain  way  onward, 
and  seized  round  the  waist  from  behind  by  the  desperately  grasp 
ing  arms  of  his  captor.  He  had  just  succeeded  in  unsheathing 
his  knife,  which  was  fiercely  glittering  in  the  light  of  the  ad 
vancing  torch,  as  it  rose  and  fell  in  quickly  repeated,  but,  as  yet, 
ineffectual  passes  at  her  body.  A  glance  sufficed  to  show  the 
young  leader  the  imminent  danger  of  his  unheeding  hostess,  and, 
with  the  next  breath,  his  weapon  was  sent  to  the  hilt  into  the 
body  of  the  screeching  foe. 

"Thank  God!  thank  God!"  hurriedly  ejaculated  the  nearly 
breathless  and  exhausted  woman,  casting  from  her,  with  a  shud 
der,  the  gasping  and  gory  corpse,  which,  as  she  now  turned  and 
hastened  back  to  comfort  her  alarmed  but  untouched  children. 
was  drawn  away,  and  covered  up  in  a  corner. 

While  this  was  taking  place,  Jones  had  placed  a  quantity  of 
the  combustible  material,  already  prepared  for  such  an  emer 
gency,  in  the  fire-place,  and  applied  the  torch.  And  by  the  time 
Selden  had  taken  breath  after  his  exploit,  so  as  to  turn  his  atten 
tion  to  other  objects,  the  rapidly  kindling  flames  were  beginning 
to  flash  and  roar  along  up  the  cavity  above. 

"That  was  well  thought  of,  Jones,"  said  the  latter,  approach 
ing  the  scout,  who  had  dropped  on  one  knee  in  the  corner  of  the 
fire  place,  and  was  intsntly  listening  to  such  sounds  as  he  could 
distinguish  in  the  chimney  above,  amidst  the  roaring  of  the  fire, — 
4{  well  thought  of;  but  what  do  you  hear  up  chimney  ?  " 

"  Why,"  replied  the  scout,  rising  at  the  approach  of  his  superior, 
"I  got  down  there  to  see  if  I  could  find  out  whether  there  were  any 
more  of  these  visitors  coming  down  the  hollow,  thinking  that  the 
way  they  would  scratch  and  scrumble  up  buck  again,  when  thu 
smoke  and  blaze  met  'em,  would  be  a  curiosity." 


830  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN    BOY£ 

"  And  what  did  you  discover  ?  " 

"  Jest  nothing  but  unsartinty,  Though  from  some  noises  that 
reached  me,  I  rather  guess  there  was  one  or  more  of  the  scamps  at 
the  top  of  the  stub,  harking  down,  and  waiting  to  see  how  the  first 
one  got  on,  before  venturing ;  but  that  wan't  what  I  was  at,  wheu 
you  spoke —  " 

"  Well,  what  was  it,  then?" 

""Why,  I  should  rather  guess  there  was  a  considerable  party 
standing  not  far  from  over  us,  now,  kinder  consulting,  or  mayhap 
waiting  to  have  some  contrivances  made,  as  the  rest  appear  to  be  at 
work  with  their  hatchets  round  in  the  woods  as  busy  as  the  divil  in 
a  gale  of  wind." 

"Ha!  what  now ? — felling  trees  upon  us ?  " 

"No — lighter  work  than  that — and,  I'm  thinking  whether  it 
an't  sharpening  stakes,  or  possibly  hewing  out  wooden  shovels. 
But  hush!  hark!" 

Every  voice  was  instantly  hushed  at  the  ominous  words  and 
manner  of  the  scout;  and  as  the  room  became  silent,  the  sounds 
that  had  attracted  his  attention  became  distinctly  audible  to  the 
whole  company :  at  first  was  heard  a  distant  trampling  of  feet, 
apparently  approaching  with  slow,  irregular  movement,  from  all 
directions  towards  them.  Nearer  and  nearer  they  came,  pausing 
every  few  steps,  and  stamping  heavily  upon  the^arth  as  they  con 
tinued  gradually  to  close  up  to  that  portion  of  the  surface  which 
extended  over  the  room  where  our  intrepid  little  band  stood  silent 
ly  awaiting  the  result  of  this  new  movement,  the  object  of  which, 
they  soon  conjectured,  was  to  ascertain,  by  sounding  the  earth  the 
exact  position  of  their  place  of  concealment  before  attempting  to 
dig  or  otherwise  effect  a  breach  through  the  surface.  In  a  moment 
more  the  advancing  lines  reached  the  verge  of  the  solid  earth,  on 
either  side,  and  began  to  step  over  the  boundry  upon  the  hollow 
ground  above  the  room ;  when,  seeming  to  become  aware  of  the 
fact,  they  suddenly  paused,  exchanged  a  few  words,  and  com 
menced  a  furious  stamping  over  the  whole  space  covering  the  ex 
cavation  beneath.  As  the  trembling  earth  gave  back  the  hollow 
sound,  thus  affording  unequivocal  evidence  that  the  place  of  their 
search  was  at  length  discovered,  they  raised  a  fierce  yell  of  cxul- 
tatiop,  and  fell  to  work  with  their  hatchets,  and  such  rude  imple 
ment  as  they  had  hastily  prepared  for  the  purpose,  in  cutting  away 
the  roots,  and  loosening  and  removing  the  earth  in  such  places  as 
they  had  selected  for  effecting  openings. 

As  soon  as  it  was  fairly  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  com- 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  33t 

menced  operations  for  effecting  a  breach  through  the  earth  above, 
our  band,  with  one  consent,  ceased  listening,  and  began  to  prepare 
for  action.  Every  one  seemed  fully  sensible  that  a  fearful  crisis 
was  now  indeed  at  hand,  and  carefully  examining  their  arms  to 
see  that  every  thing  was  in  readiness  for  instant  action,  they  ar 
ranged  themselves  at  the  command  of  their  leader,  in  lines  around 
the  sides  of  the  room,  while,  in  the  compressed  lip  and  sternly 
knitting  brows  of  each,  was  depicted  the  deeply  breathed  resolu 
tion  to  fight  to  the  death  in  defence  of  themselves  and  the  fair  and 
tender  ones  whose  only  hope  was  now  in  their  bravery. 

"  Give  me  a  place  among  you,"  cried  the  intrepid  widow,  at  this 
moment  emerging  from  the  inner  room,  armed  with  her  rifle  and 
equipped  for  battle,  "  give  me  a  place,  and  see  whether  I  am  the 
first  to  desert  the  post  of  danger." 

"But  madam,  dear  madam,"  began  to  expostulate  Selden,  "do 
you  know  the  peril  that  now  awaits  us  ?  Do  you  hear  the  sound 
of  those  busy  fiends,  belaooring  the  earth  above  to  break  through 
upon  us  ?  and  there  !  do  you  see  those  fragments  falling  from 
that  jarring  and  trembling  ceiling  ?  Are  you  aware  that  in  ten 
minutes — " 

"I  have  heard  all — I  see  and  know  all,"  interrupted  the 
woman,  in  tones  of  desperate  calmness;  "  I  am  prepared  for  the 
worst.  I  can  never  live  to  see  my  children  murdered  before  my 
eyes.  Here,"  she  continued,  planting  herself  at  the  entrance  of 
the  passage,  "  here  I  will  remain,  and  if  the  enemy  enter  here,  it 
shall  be  over  my  dead  body.  Nay,  not  a  word,  Captain  Selden,  I 
will  not  be  denied." 

At  this  moment  Miss  Hendee  and  Miss  Reed  glided  past  the 
widow  into  the  room,  and  with  looks  yet  unmoved  by  the  danger, 
which  they  well  understood  now  menaced  every  individual  of  the 
company,  presented  themselves  before  the  admiring  gaze  of  the 
soldiers. 

u  Ah !  girls,  you  missed  the  tread  of  your  sentinel,  did  you  ?  I 
meant  to  have  escaped  you  unnoticed,"  said  the  widow  with  a 
melancholy  smile. 

"Aware  that  the  hour  decisive  of  the  fate  of  us  all  had  arrived 
we  came  to  see  if  we  could  be  of  any  service  here,  or  elsewhere, " 
replied  Alma,  in  a  firm,  but  serious  tone. 

"God  bless  you,  noble  girls!"  said  Selden,  with  emotion, 
advancing  to  the  side  of  his  lovely  and  heroic  friends.  "God 
bless  you  for  this  fortitude  and  self -sacrificing  bravery," 


332  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BO 78. 

"Ol  let  me  die  by  your  side,"  murmured  Jessy,  dropping  her 
head  on  Selden's  bosom. 

Touched  by  this  exhibition,  so  gratifying  to  his  feelings  aa  a 
lover,  and  to  his  pride  as  a  soldier,  the  hero,  gently  putting  her 
from  him,  gazed  an  instant  on  the  slight  symmetrical  form,  and 
the  beautiful  and  soul-speaking  features  of  the  fond  and  spirited 
young  creature  before  him,  with  the  mingled  look  which  imagi 
nation  would  naturally  ascribe  to  a  worshipper  of  the  goddess 
beauty,  while  kneeling  at  the  shrine  of  her  image,  and  proffering 
the  strangely  blended  adorations  which  the  nature  of  that  worship 
must  necessarily  have  inspired. 

"No,  no,  Jessy,"  he  at  length  replied,  arousing  himself  from 
the  momentary  entrancement :  "  No,  girls,  you  two,  at  least,  may 
not — must  not  remain :  to  say  nothing  of  the  perils  you  must 
encounter,  your  presence  here  might  more  embarrass  than  aid 
us.  Retire,  then,  and  trust  to  us,  under  Providence,  for  your 
deliverance." 

"  Is  your  father  asleep,  Alma  ?  "  asked  the  widow,  as  the  young 
ladies  were  leaving  the  room. 

"He  is,"  was  the  reply,  "for,  though  when  he  came  to 
our  room,  and  threw  himself  down  among  the  children  to  try  to 
get  a  little  sleep,  he  desired  me  to  awaken  him  on  the  occurrence 
of  any  new  danger,  I  yet  could  not  find  it  in  my  heart  to  disturb 
him  so  soon." 

"Let  him  be  instantly  awakened,"  said  Selden,  "I  would  have 
his  counsel." 

In  a  few  moments  Captain  Hendee,  who,  nearly  ready  to  sink 
under  the  fatigues  of  the  day,  had  retired  to  the  inner  room  in 
the  interval  of  quiet  which  followed  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  at 
the  western  entrance,  had  made  his  appearance.  A  glance  at  the 
ceiling,  now  visibly  shaking  in  two  different  places  under  the 
rapidly  progressing  operations  of  the  foe  above,  enabled  him,  with 
the  hasty  intimations  just  imparted  by  his  daughter,  to  compre 
hend  at  once  the  situation  of  both  besiegers  and  besieged. 

"This  is  a  strait  to  which  I  both  feared  and  expected  we  should 
be  finally  reduced,"  he  remarked  coolly,  after  a  momentary  pause, 
"  but  let  no  man  despair;  I  have  been  in  situations  more  hopeless 
than  this,  and  yet  escaped." 

"We  can  at  least  sell  our  lives  dearly,"  responded  Selden. 

"  True, "  replied  the  old  veteran  thoughtfully,  "even  in  the 
method  of  defence  which  I  see,  from  your  arrangment,  you  pro 
pose  to  adopt, — that  of  shooting  the  assailants  as  they  attempt  to 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   SOYS.  332 

enter  the  breaches  that  they  may  make.  But  will  you  be  abl* 
thus  to  repel  them  long  ?  Every  foot  of  this  earthy  covering, 
which  now  protects  us  from  their  bullets,  may  be  removed,  or 
beat  in  upon  us,  before  we  can  bring  our  guns  to  bear  upon  them 
with  effect.  And  every  surrounding  tree-top  will,  by  that  time, 
conceal  a  foe,  ready  to  send  us  death  from  above ;  while  fire 
brands  and  combustibles  will  be  hurled  down  upon  us  by  those 
remaining  on  the  ground.  And  if  we  retreat  into  our  narrow 
passages,  as  we  must,  the  same  game  will  follow  us  there." 

"All  these  hazards,  Captain  Hendce,"  replied  the  young 
leader,  "I  am  fully  aware  we  may  encounter.  But  what  other 
mode  of  defence  can  we  adopt  ? — A  sally  from  the  western 
entrance,  which  is  now  doubtless  closely  guarded  by  the  enemy, 
with  the  expectation  that  we  shall  soon  be  driven  to  make  it, 
must  prove  fatal  to  all  who  shall  attempt  it ;  while  the  entrance 
at  the  other  end  of  the  passage  is  blocked  up  by  a  red  mass  of 
burning  ruins.  What  other  expedient,  then,  is  left  for  us." 

"I  had  thought  of  one,"  said  Captain  Hendee,  with  some  hesi 
tation.  "  I  had  thought  of  one,  as  our  last  resort,  in  an  emer 
gency  like  this.  It  may  not  be  without  risk  to  ourselves,  I  am 
aware,  but, "  he  continued,  with  fiercely  flashing  eyes,  ' '  but  it 
must  be  swift  destruction  to  the  accursed  gang  above,  who  are 
thirsting  for  our  blood  !  " 

"  In  the  name  of  Heaven,  declare  it,  then!  "  eagerly  cried  Sel- 
deu,  casting  an  uneasy  glance  at  some  fresh  demonstrations  of  the 
progress  of  the  foe  in  the  covering  above. 

"I  will — here,  this  way,"  replied  the  former,  as,  stepping 
across  the  room,  he  opened  the  concealed  recess  in  the  wall,  and 
disclosed  the  widow's  magazine  to  the  wondering  gaze  of  Seldcn 
and  his  men,  who,  ignorant  of  its  existence,  did  not  at  once  un 
derstand  the  nature  of  its  contents,  or  perceive  the  old  gentle 
man's  object  in  displaying  it.  "  There !  "  he  added,  significantly 
pointing  to  the  heads  of  the  casks  thus  brought  to  view,  "  there, 
that  explains  my  plan." 

"  How  ?  What  do  those  barrels  contain  ?  "  rapidly  demanded 
Belden,  with  the  varying  expression  of  doubt,  surprise,  and 
alarm. 

"Gunpowder!"  was  the  emphatic  reply. 

"Good  God!  Captain  Hendee,  do  you  consider  our  case  so 
desperate,  that,  Samson-like,  we  should  all  perish  with  our 
foes  ? " 

"  It  does  not  follow  ihat  we  shall  perish  with  them      I  have 


334  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

seen  somewhat  of  the  operation  of  exploding  mines,  and  cannot 
believe  that  the  effects  in  the  proposed  one  a.n  reach  far  into  that 
winding  passage,  to  the  further  end  of  which,  if  thought  safer 
than  the  inner  room,  we  can  all  repair." 

"I'll  be  blest  if  I  don't  think  the  old  thrash-the-devil  is  about 
right,  Captain  Selden,"  exclaimed  Pete  Jones,  leaping  about,  and 
snapping  his  fingers  in  great  glee.  "Jest  place  them  in  that  cor 
ner  beyond  the  fire  there,  and  it  must  be  a  sort  of  powder  that 
I'm  not  much  acquainted  with,  if  it  turns  at  a  right  angle  very 
far  into  that  passage  after  mischief.  Well,  now,  the  Lord  be  \ 
thanked  for  putting  this  into  your  noddle,  old  friend.  I  had 
about  agreed  to  say  gone  dogs  for  us  all,  but  now  I  can  see  a 
considerable  sprinkling  of  hope  through  them  barrels  of  thunder 
yonder." 

"And  you,  Mrs.  Story,  whose  stake  is  the  greatest  in  the  re 
sult,"  said  Selden,  turning  to  the  widow,  after  hastily  running 
his  eye  over  the  different  parts  of  the  room,  as  if  calculating  the 
probable  extent  to  which  the  explosion  would  affect  the  earth 
laterally, — what  do  you  say  to  the  measure  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know — I  don't  know,"  replied  the  distressed  mother, 
who  had  been  mutely  listening  to  the  startling  proposition,  in  a 
sort  of  wild  amazement.  "The  work  of  the  element  will  be 
terrific — perhaps  fatal  to  us — but  the  work  of  the  exasperated 
foe,  unless  thus  destroyed,  will  be,  I  fear,  for  all  we  can  do,  no 
less  dreadful.  I  leave  it  to  you,  and  may  God  direct  the  course 
which  shall  be  for  our  good,"  she  added,  with  a  shudder. 

"It  is  a  fearful  experiment,  but  it  shall  be  tried,"  said  the 
young  leader,  turning  away  to  begin  the  required  arrangement. 

At  that  instant  a  large  fragment  of  earth  was  suddenly  rup 
tured  from  the  ceiling,  and  fell  heavily  to  the  floor,  scattering 
dirt  in  every  direction  around,  and  disclosing  in  the  place  from 
which  it  had  been  detached,  the  point  of  a  huge  sharpened  stake, 
protruding  several  inches  into  the  room;  while  the  wild  and 
exultant  shouting  of  the  foe  above,  as  the  stake  was  drawn  up, 
and  the  redoubled  fury  with  which  they  renewed  their  exertions, 
all  loudly  warned  our  band  that  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost  in 
prepaing  for  the  execution  of  their  purpose. 

"  Clear  the  room,  instantly!  "  cried  Selden,  in  low,  but  start 
ling  accents,  "  back!  back!  every  man  of  you,  but  Jones,  to  the 
further  end  of  the  passage — no  remonstrance — no  offers!"  he 
continued,  as  urging  them  with  drawn  sword  from  the  room,  sev 
era!  began  to  persuade  him  to  permit,  tbcin  to  incur  the  bayard 


THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  885 

of  exploding  the  fatal  mine,    "  not  a  word !  the  match  shall  be  ap 
plied  by  my  own  hand." 

As  soon  as  the  room  was  fairly  cleared,  Selden  turned,  ani, 
with  rapid  steps,  proceeded  to  the  recess,  drew  forth  the  barrels, 
and,  carrying  them  to  the  corner  opposite  to  the  entrance  of 
the  inner  passage,  placed  them  firmly,  and  pulled  out  the  bungi, 
allowing  a  quantity  of  the  powder  to  run  out  from  each  on  to  the 
ground.  He  then  laid  a  small,  continuous  train  of  dry  powder, 
extending  from  the  barrels  across  the  room  into  the  entrance  in 
question;  while  the  scout,  by  his  orders,  after  having  removed  the 
lights  to  a  safe  distance,  wet  a  cartridge  from  the  contents  of  his 
canteen,  and  hastily  converted  it  into  a  slow  match,  to  apply  to 
the  end  of  the  train. 

"There!  now  leave  the  rest  to  me,  Jones;  take  care  of  your 
self,  and  see  that  the  passage  is  kept  clear  for  my  retreat,"  said 
the  leader,  receiving  a  torch  which  was  brought  him  by  the 
other,  and  taking  his  station  to  await  the  fearful  moment  of  firing 
the  train. 

The  enemy,  in  the  mean  time,  were  making  rapid  progress. 
Two  breaches  were  already  made  through  the  earth  into  the 
room,  and  these,  as  was  evinced  by  the  almost  constant  falling  of 
heavy  masses  of  dirt,  were  every  moment  widening;  while  from 
the  trampling  of  feet,  all  gathering  up  to  the  spot,  the  mingled 
shouts,  curses,  and  commands  of  the  infuriated  gang  and  their 
leaders,  it  was  obvious  that  an  attempt  to  descend  was  about  to 
be  made.  At  this  moment,  they  seemed  to  perceive  that  the  be 
sieged  had  deserted  their  room,  and  retreated  further  into  the 
cartli.  Grown  madly  desperate  by  being  already  so  long  bafHed 
and  doubly  infuriated  by  the  discovery  that  their  intended  vic 
tims  had  still  a  further  refuge,  they  were  now  heard  hastily 
throwing  aside  their  tools  and  resuming  their  arms,  preparatory 
to  entering  the  breach  to  follow  up  the  pursuit,  little  dreaming,  in 
the  hellish  joy  of  their  anticipated  revenge,  that  the  torch  was 
even  then  suspended  over  the  train,  and  waiting  only  their  first 
movement,  to  send  them,  in  an  instant,  with  all  the  passions  of 
fiends  raging  in  their  bosoms,  unannealed  into  the  presence  of 
their  God.  But  while  the  foe-trampled  earth  was  jarring  to  the 
hideous  tumult  above,  the  silence  of  death  prevailed  through  the 
hushed  vaults  beneath.  The  agitated  mother  was  breathing  hur 
ried  ejaculations  over  her  clasped  children.  And  near  her  might 
be  seen  the  huddling  forms  of  her  shuddering  female  com 
panions,  with  their  fair  hands  tightly  compressed  over  both  ears 
IE  , 


336  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   SOTS. 

and  eyes,  as  if  to  shut  out  from  their  recoiling  senses  the  noise 
of  the  now  momentarily  expected  explosion;  while  the  men  in 
the  dark  passage  beyond,  stood  motionless  and  silent,  listening 
in  the  attitude  of  intensely  excited  expectation  for  the  awful 
denouement.  Selden,  in  the  mean  while,  hesitating  between 
his  fears  that  the  train  would  get  disturbed  by  the  entrance  of 
the  foe  into  the  room,  and  his  anxiety  to  have  the  band  gather 
over,  or  so  closely  around  it,  as  to  bring  them  all  within  the 
reach  of  the  explosion,  still  held  the  torch  suspended  in  his  ex 
tended  hand  over  the  train,  now  lowering  the  point  of  the  low- 
flickering  brand  nearly  to  a  contact  with  the  powder,  at  some  in 
dication  of  the  expected  descent,  and  now  hastily  withdrawing 
it,  as  other  and  less  decisive  sounds  reached  his  ear.  His  hesi 
tation,  however,  was  soon  ended :  at  that  instant,  a  loud  yell  at 
the  western  entrance,  and  the  sounds  of  thickly-trampling  feet 
that  followed,  told  him  that  the  enemy  had  forced  the  barrier  at 
the  end  of  that  passage,  and  were  rushing  into  the  room ;  while 
another  hurra  from  the  tories  above,  and  the  heavy,  and  quickly 
repeated  jar  of  feet  striking  upon  the  floor,  which  accompanied 
it,  further  announced  that  the  latter  were  beginning  to  leap 
down  the  breaches  to  join  the  former  in  the  assault.  At  this 
critical  instant,  and  before  the  mingled  war-cry  of  the  savage 
and  tory  had  died  away  in  the  echoing  vaults  beyond  him,  the 
young  leader  applied  the  brand  to  the  fuse,  and  rapidly  retreated 
along  the  passage  towards  his  friends.  Having  reached  the  cur 
tained  recess  containing  the  women  and  children,  and  here  en 
countering  Captain  Hendee  and  Jones,  he  turned  round,  and 
with  them  awaited,  with  palpitating  heart  and  suspended  breath, 
the  fearful  result.  With  the  low,  hissing  sound  of  the  slowly 
burning  match,  came  a  cry  of  horror  from  the  scrambling  foe, 
over  whose  minds,  now  for  the  first  time,  seemed  to  flash  the 
dreadful  truth.  But  too  late.  The  next  instant,  with  a  concus 
sion  that  almost  threw  Selden  and  his  companions  from  their 
feet,  the  earth  yawned  and  opened  along  the  passage  overheard 
nearly  to  the  spot  where  they  stood ;  when  through  the  long  vi 
brating  chasm,  was  displayed  to  their  appalled  vision,  the  broad 
space  of  tree-covered  earth  over  and  around  the  room  beyond, 
leaping,  in  disrupturing  massss,  into  the  air,  along  with  the  di 
verging  column  of  fiercely  shooting  smoke  and  flame,  in  which 
were  seen,  commingling  with  rocks,  earth,  and  the  limbs  and 
trunks  of  uprooted  and  swiftly  revolving  trees,  a  score  of  human 
tbruis,  wildly  throwing  out  their  arms,  as  if  for  aid,  and  dis- 


MOUNTAIN  BOYS.  337 

tending  their  mouths  with  unheard  screeches,  as,  with  blackened 
and  distorted  features,  and  dissevering  limbs,  they  were  bourne 
upwards  with  amazing  force  in  the  flaming  mass  to  the  heavens. 
The  chasm  slowly  closed  over  the  astounded  but  unharmed  band, 
and  shut  out  from  their  reeling  senses  the  deafening  din  that  was 
breaking  in  crashing  thunders  above.  A  momentary  stillness  en 
sued  ;  when  the  returning  shower  of  ruins  came  thundering  to 
the  earth ;  after  which,  all  again  relapsed  into  a  death-like  and 
unbroken  silence. 


Once  more  the  morning  light  was  springing  in  the  golden 
chambers  of  the  east,  heralding  the  approach  of  the  fiery  coursers 
of  the  day-god  up  the  glowing  pathway  of  the  sky.  More 
and  more  brightly  broke  the  suffusing  radiance  over  the  moun 
tains,  darkly  gleaming,  at  first,  upon  the  quiet  surface  of  the 
gently  flowing  Otter,  and  then,  gradually  lighting  up,  one  aftei 
another,  the  bolder  features  of  the  altered  landscape,  till  the 
whole  scene  of  the  last  night's  thrilling  drama,  and  its  awful 
catastrophe,  stood  revealed  to  the  sight.  The  humble  tenement 
of  the  lone  widow,  which  the  last  setting  sun  left  standing  un 
molested,  in  her  toil-wrought  opening  in  the  wilderness,  had 
disappeared ;  and  in  its  place  lay  a  pile  of  black  and  smoulder 
ing  ruins.  Fences  were  thrown  down  and  scattered  in  every 
direction ;  while  the  growing  crops  in  the  fields  around,  reared 
by  the  hard  labors  of  the  indefatigable  occupant,  and  consti 
tuting  her  sole  dependence  for  the  future  sustenance  of  her 
numerous  family,  were  scorched  and  withered  by  the  falling  cin 
ders  thrown  up  from  the  burning  house,  or  prostrated  and  beat 
into  the  earth  by  the  trampling  feet  of  reckless  foes.  The  breath 
of  war  had,  indeed,  passed  over  every  thing,  and  her  little  all,  in 
one  short  night,  had  perished. 

Near  the  banks  of  the  stream,  where  stood  a  thick  growth  of 
trees,  over  and  around  the  main  apartment  of  the  subterraneous 
abode,  now  yawned  a  huge,  black  chasm  in  the  ground,  in  which 
scarcely  a  trace  of  the  late  regular  room  was  discernible-,  while 
the  burnt  and  discolored  bark  and  foliage,  marking  the  standing 
forest  around,  and  the  broken,  splintered  and  uprooted  trees, 
which  had  been  hurled  outward  and  prostrated  with  the  earth  for 
many  rods  in  every  direction  from  the  spot,  and  which  were  now 
lying  strewed  over  the  ground  in  wile  disorder,  intermingled  with 


tt3  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

smoking  rubbish,  all  told  the  fearful  power  and  extent  of  the  ter 
rific  explosion.  Half  buried  among  the  wide  scattered  ruins  lay 
the  torn,  mangled  and  blackened  corpses  of  savage  and  tory, — the 
fated  victims  of  the  mine,  which  had  so  suddenly,  so  unexpectedly 
sprung  beneath  their  feet,  sweeping  them,  in  an  instant,  indiscrimi 
nately  away,  with  the  cries  of  anticipated  victory  and  vengeance 
on  their  lips,  like  chaff  in  a  whirlwind  of  fire. 

As  the  increasing  daylight  began  to  fall  more  broadly  upon  this 
scene  of  death  and  desolation,  two  human  forms  might  have  been 
seen  cautiously  breaking  through  the  loose  earth  that  closed  up  the 
mouth  of  the  long  passage  into  which  our  little  band  last  retreated. 
The  small,  topling  head,  crane-like  neck,  long  body  and  limbs, 
and  the  peculiarly  rapid  and  shambling  movements  of  the  one,  as 
now  crouching,  now  rearing  his  tall  form  aloft,  and  throwing  quick 
and  wary  glances  around  him,  he  glided  round  beneath  the  sides 
of  the  broad,  black  pit  into  which  they  had  emerged,  sufficiently 
announced  him  as  the  incomparable  scout.  The  swarthy  and  im 
movable  features,  the  short  figure,  and  deliberate  air  of  the  other, 
proclaimed  him  also  to  be  an  old  acquaintance  of  the  reader,  the 
trusty  and  faithful  Neshobee.  Creeping  out  of  the  excavation,  the 
two  separated,  and  quickly  disappeared  in  opposite  directions  in 
the  woods  and  bushes  along  the  banks  of  the  Creek.  After  the 
lapse  of  half  an  hour,  in  which  they  had  apparently  made  a  recon- 
noitering  circuit  round  the  opening,  they  reappeared  on  the  banks 
of  the  excavation,  communed  a  moment,  and,  throwing  aside  the 
air  of  caution  that  had  marked  their  movements,  approached,  with 
bold  and  confident  steps,  towards  the  choked  entrance,  through 
which  they  had  forced  their  way  into  the  open  air. 

"Hurra,  there,  below!"  shouted  Pete,  dropping  on  one  knee, 
and  poking  his  head  and  long  neck  into  the  dark  hole  before  him, 
"hurra!  ye  poor,  half  smuddered  divils — asking  the  Captain's 
pardon  for  the  freedom — do  you  hear  ?  " 

"Ay,  ay!  what  report — what  news  from  the  regions  above?" 
responded  several  voices  from  the  dark,  and,  till  then,  silent  re 
cesses  within. 

"  The  coast  is  as  clear  as  a  hound's  tooth,"  replied  the  scout. 
"Yes,  all  clear,  and  that,  too,  with  what  I  should  call  a  consider 
able  of  a  vengeance :  so  just  troop  along  out  here,  and  see  what 
God  put  it  into  men's  heads  to  make  gunpowder  for." 

This  announcement  seemed  to  produce  an  instant  effect.  A 
lively  bustle  was  immediately  heard  among  the  party  below.  And 
in  a  few  moments  more,  the  men,  followed  by  the  women  and 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  330 

children,  came  creeping,  one  by  cne,  from  their  crowded  and  un 
comfortable  retreat,  looking  worn,  haggard,  and  pale  from  fatigue, 
and  more  especially  from  the  want  of  fresh  air,  with  which  they 
had  but  imperfectly  supplied  themselves  by  digging,  with  their 
bayonets,  small  holes  through  the  earthy  covering  of  their  refuge, 
to  the  surface  above.  After  reaching  the  open  air,  the  company 
stood  a  moment  on  the  banks  of  the  chasm,  viewing,  in  silent  hor 
ror,  the  awful  spectacle  that  was  here  presented  to  their  sight ; 
when,  at  the  suggestion  of  Seldsn  the  females,  accompanied  by 
himself  and  all  but  the  common  soldiers  (who  were  busy  in  search 
ing  for  guns  and  other  spoils  among  the  ruins),  hastened  to  leave  a 
scene  so  revolting  to  the  senses.  And  making  the  best  of  their 
way  over  the  tangled  mass  that  every  where  encircled  the  spot, 
with  many  a  shudder  at  the  disfigured,  and  sometimes  limbless 
bodies  of  the  slain,  for  which  they  were  often  compelled  to  turn 
aside  in  their  route,  they  proceeded  towards  the  open  grounds  in 
front  of  the  site  lately  occupied  by  the  house. 

"Umph!  look!  jus  look  um  up  there!"  exclaimed  Neshobee, 
eagerly  pointing  up  the  trunk  of  a  large  dry  hemlock,  which, 
standing  some  half  dozen  rods  from  the  seat  of  the  explosion,  the 
company  were  unobservantly  passing. 

Arrested  by  the  unusually  excited  manner  of  the  Indian,  the 
•whole  party  suddenly  paused,  and  looked  upward  in  search  of 
the  object  to  which  he  was  so  earnestly  directing  their  attention. 
About  half-way  up  the  tree,  the  doubling  body  of  a  man  hung 
dangling  in  the  air,  from  a  short,  pointed  limb,  upon  which  he 
had  evidently  been  thrown  from  the  earth,  and  literally  impaled 
through  the  middle,  by  the  force  of  the  explosion.  His  cadaver 
ous  face  was  turned  full  towards  the  company,  and  a  glance  at 
the  peculiar  cast  of  his  death-set  features,  explained,  at  once,  to 
Captain  Ilendee  and  the  girls,  the  cause  of  the  wild  and  gleeful 
interest  manifested  by  the  native;  it  was  the  traitor,  Remington,* 
who  first  betrayed  the  family  to  their  enemies,  and  who  was  after 
wards  discovered  to  be  in  full  league  with  Sherwood  and  Darrow, 
and,  to  the  last,  in  active  co-operation  with  them,  in  the  black  de 
signs  which  they  supposed  themselves  on  the  eve  of  accomplish 
ing,  when  thus  awfully  arrested  in  their  guilty  career.  Awe 
struck  and  appalled  at  the  strange  and  dreadful  fate  of  the  villain, 
the  company,  with  one  consent,  turned  away  from  the  sickening 
sight,  and,  hastening  from  the  spot,  pursued  their  way  in  thought- 

*  The  last  of  this  tory  family,  consisting  of  several  brothers,  I  am  informed  waa 
sent  to  the  state  prison,  a  few  years  ago. 


340  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BO 78. 

ful  silence,  till  they  had  passed,  as  they  supposed,  beyond  the 
scene  of  these  multiplied  horrors.  Another  trial,  however,  though 
of  a  different  and  mingled  character,  still  awaited  them :  a  deep 
groan,  issuing  from  a  small  covert  on  their  left,  now  reached 
their  ears,  and  caused  them  again  to  pause  in  their  steps. 

"It  is  a  human  groan,"  said  Selden,  "  and  doubtless  that  of 
some  poor  wounded  wretch,  who  has  crawled  away  from  the 
scene  of  action.  Perhaps  his  life  may  yet  be  saved,"  he  added, 
as,  beckoning  to  Jones,  he  promptly  set  out  for  the  place  from 
which  the  sound  had  proceeded.  As  the  two  passed  round  to 
the  spot,  they  discovered  a  man  lying  in  a  state  of  almost  utter 
exhaustion  in  the  weeds  behind  a  long  log,  by  which  he  had 
apparently  been  arrested  in  his  course  while  trying  to  reach  a 
small  brook  a  few  rods  beyond.  His  face,  with  every  other 
exposed  part  of  his  person,  was  thickly  besmeared  with  dirt, 
gunpowder,  and  blood,  which  last  was  still  freshly  oozing  from 
his  mangled  and  broken  legs ;  and  it  was  only  by  his  hair,  and 
the  remains  of  his  burnt  and  tattered  dress,  that  he  could  be  dis 
tinguished  as  a  white  man.  He  seemed  to  be  aware  of  the  pres 
ence  of  others,  and  the  lips  began  to  move  with  some  inaudible 
request. 

u  The  poor  creature  is  begging  for  water,"  said  Selden,  lower 
ing  his  ear  over  the  face  of  the  invalid;  "  let  us  remove  him  to 
the  brook." 

Raising  him  carefully  in  their  arms,  they  accordingly  bore  him 
to  the  bank  of  the  rivulet,  and  having  placed  him  in  a  sitting 
position,  with  his  back  against  a  large  stump,  they  applied  a 
gourd-shell  of  water  to  his  lips,  of  which  he  drank  eagerly  and 
deeply.  They  then  washed  the  blood  and  dirt  from  his  face, 
when  lie  considerably  revived;  and,  opening  his  eyes,  he  looked 
up  in  evident  surprise  on  our  party,  all  of  whom,  having  gathered 
round  him,  now  stood  viewing  his  gory  and  lacerated  limbs  in 
silent  commiseration. 

"  Why!  it  is  Darrow — the  wretched  and  guilty  Darrow!  "  ex 
claimed  Miss  Hendee,  starting  back  in  surprise,  and  with  an  ex 
pression  of  mingled  pity  and  abhorrence. 

u  Ay,  guilty  enough,  doubtless,"  responded  Selden,  "  but  as 
deeply  dyed  in  guilt  as  he  is,  there  is  another  still  more  guilty — 
wretched  man  what  has  become  of  your  master  ?  " 

"He  escaped  unhurt  from  your  accursed  mine,"  feebly  inut 
tered  the  wounded  ruffian  in  reply. 

"  And  has  fled  ?  "  asked  the  former. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  341 

"  Yes,  fled  like  a  craven  brute,"  said  the  other,  with  an  angry 
scowl;  "fled  with  the  few  who  were  as  lucky  as  himself,  leaving 
ine  and  the  rest  of  the  wounded,  with  our  cries  for  assistance 
ringing  in  his  ears,  to  die  like  dogs,  alone  here  in  the  woods. 
And  they  have  died — some  of  their  wounds,  some  by  crawling 
into  the  river  and  drowning,  and  some  by  plunging  their  knives 
into  their  own  bodies,  to  put  themselves  out  of  misery.  Yes,  all 
gone,  but  me ;  and  I —  " 

"  But  perhaps  your  leader  went  off  after  a  reinforcement,  ex 
pecting  soon  to  return  with  better  means  of  serving  you,"  inter 
rupted  Selden,  with  the  view  of  gathering  from  the  other  such 
information  as  would  enable  him  to  judge  of  the  probability  of 
Sherwood's  return  to  renew  the  attack. 

"No,  damn  him!"  exclaimed  the  wretch  bitterly,  "  he  sup 
posed,  as  I  did,  that  all  of  your  band,  as  well  as  most  of  our  own, 
had  perished  in  the  explosion.  No !  the  infernal  villain  intended 
I  should  die,"  he  continued,  with  an  expression  rendered  fairly 
diabolical  with  rage,  combined  with  the  bodily  anguish  he  was 
enduring.  "  But  he  did  not  dream  I  should  full  alive  into  your 
hands,  else  he  had  finished  me  on  the  spot  to  prevent  it,  the 
black-souled  devil!  for  he  is  well  aware  that  I  know  enough  of 
him,  and  his  father  before  him,  to  make  my  revenge  as  ample  as 
it  will  be  sweet." 

"What  do  you  know  of  his  father  ?  "  asked  Captain  Hendee, 
stepping  forward,  with  looks  of  eager  curiosity  and  interest. 

"Enough,"  replied  the  other — "enough  of  both,  to  my  sorrow; 
for,  between  them,  they  have  worked  niy  ruin  and  death.  In 
aiding  the  old  man  in  his  villainy,  I  damned  my  soul;  and  in 
abetting  that  of  his  son,  I  have  lost  my  life ;  for  I  feel  that  I 
must  go  now  soon,  though  I  might  have  been  saved.  Yes,  and 
what  have  they  done  for  nic  ?  what  can  they  do  now  ?  Nothing! 
The  old  man  has  gone  to  his  place ;  and  Jake — perdition  seize 
him!" 

"What  do  you  mean  ?"  sharply  demanded  the  Captain.  "Is 
John  Sherwood  dead  ?  Why,  Jake  told  me,  before  he  turned 
devil  to  us,  and  not  more  than  a  week  since,  neither,  that  his 
father  was  alive  and —  " 

"And  what  if  he  did,"  interrupted  Darrow,  growing  restless 
and  impatient  from  the  pain,  which  was  now  evidently  beginning 
to  invade  the  citadel  of  life — "what  if  he  did  ?  The  old  man 
made  a  will — too  much  in  favor  of  your  daughter  here,  or  you,  he 


342  THE    GREEK   MOUNTAIN   BOY 8. 

suspects — and  all  was  to  be  kept  dark  till  lie  could  bring  certaia 
things  about." 

"  Man,  man,  you  are  deceiving  me  I  "  cried  the  other,  warmly. 

"Father,  I  believe  he  is  speaking  the  truth,"  interposed  the 
daughter,  to  whose  mind  the  late  conduct  of  Sherwood,  before 
inexplicable,  was  now  explained. 

"Truth — truth!  Alma  Hendee,"  resumed  the  wounded  man 
now  breathing  thick,  and  speaking  with  increasing  difficulty ; — 
"  it  is  only  the  beginning  of  truths,  that  concerns  you  all,  that — 
that  I  could — that  I  must  and  will  tell,  if — if  soul  and  body  will 
hold  together  long  enough  for  me  to  expose — " 

"Expose  what? — what  can  you  reveal? — go  on! — speak — 
speak!  "  exclaimed  the  old  gentleman,  impatiently  breaking  in 
on  the  other,  in  a  tone  and  air  of  feverish  excitement. 

"Wait — wait,"  resumed  Darrow,  grating  his  clenched  teeth, 
and  writhing  about  in  a  fresh  paroxysm  of  anguish — "  I  will- 
will  tell  all — but  wait  till  this  is  over — O,  that  pain !  O !  God  ! 
that  pain,  that  pain!  "  and  the  poor  wretch  gasped  for  breath, 
and  wildly  threw  about  his  arms  in  the  insufferable  pangs  of  his 
agony. 

"  Captain  Hendee,"  he  faintly,  and  in  a  softened  tone,  resumed, 
after  the  desperate  paroxysm  had  subsided,  "  did  you  ever  mis 
trust  that  John  Sherwood  played  you  foul  in  respect  to  your 
property,  which  you  was  blind  enough  to  intrust  to  his  manage 
ment  ?  " 

' '  Why,  I  thought  strange, "  replied  the  other,  '  *  and  yet  I  could 
not  detect — but  was  he  dishonest,  then  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  exclaimed  Darrow;  "  in  that  final  settlement,  he  de 
frauded  you  out  of  more  than  half  of  what  was  honestly  your 
own:  and,  as  the  main  instance,  you  recollect  a  large  landed  law 
suit  he  brought  in  your  behalf  ?  " 

"I  do,"  said  the  Captain ;  "and,  finding  he  must  fail  in  it,  and 
subject  me  to  ruinous  costs,  he  compromised,  by  paying  a  small 
sum,  and  withdrew  the  action,  as  I  understood." 

"Well,  now,  it  is  God's  truth,  Captain,"  rejoined  the  former, 
"  that  instead  of  paying  anything,  he  received  a  large  sum — his 
adversary,  and  not  he,  finding  he  must  fail." 

"The  faithless  villain!"  exclaimed  the  astonished  Captain, 
"  may  the  wrath — but  I  will  not  curse  him,  now  he  is  gone." 

"  No;  for  you  can  revenge  yourself  more  effectually,"  said  the 
other:  "  the  man  with  whom  this  compromise  was  made  is  still 
alive  and,  though  it  was  agreed  that  the  transaction  should  be 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  343 

kept  a  dead  secret,  there  is  no  doubt  he  will  swear  to  the  amount 
he  payed  Sherwood,  as  he  was  not  privy  to  the  fraud  on  you." 

''But  how  know  you  alf  this  ?"  asked  the  Captain,  some  new 
doubt  seeming  to  arise  in  his  mind. 

"You  will  know  directly,"  replied  Darrow — "that  is,  if — if 
I  tell  you  the  rest  " — he  continued,  pausing  and  hesitating,  as  if 
irresolute  whether  to  proceed  ;  but  at  length  seeming  to  make  up 
his  mind,  he  resumed,  "  Captain  Hendee,  you  once  had  a  darling 
son,  who  was  lost  ?  " 

"  I  did,  I  did,"  responded  the  other  with  visible  emotion. 

"  And  you  have  heard,"  continued  the  former,  "  that  he  was 
last  seen  with  a  young  man  in  John  Sherwood's  employ — did  you 
ever  see  that  young  man  ? " 

"  No,"  said  the  Captain,  "  nor  do  I  know  what  became  of  him, 
or  whether  he  is  now  living." 

"He  is  still  living,  but  will  not  be  long,"  said  Darrow:  "  you 
see  him  in  the  miserable,  shattered,  and  dying  creature  lying  be 
fore  you,  Captain  Hendee." 

"You!  you!"  wildly  and  fiercely  exclaimed  the  old  man, 
"but  what  of  my  son?  wretch!  did  you  murder  the  boy?"  he 
added,  raising  his  voice  almost  to  a  frantic  scream,  as  the  sus 
picion  flashed  over  his  anticipating  thoughts. 

"No,  I  was  spared  that,"  answered  the  other,  "though  my  insti 
gator,  who  was  no  other  than  that  same  John  Sherwood,  expected 
it  of  me,  I  think.  No,  I  came  across  an  Indian,  who,  for  a  bottle 
of  rum,  was  willing  to  take  the  boy  where  his  friends  should 
never  hear  of  him  again." 

"  And  you  agreed  with  the  hell-hound  to  do  it,  did  you,  mon 
ster!  "  again  fiercely  demanded  the  Captain. 

"Yes,  I  did  that — I  own  it!  I  own  it!  aye,  I  confess  it!" 
exclaimed  Darrow,  eagerly  repeating  the  words,  as  if  he  had 
brought  himself  to  this  act  of  penitence  by  some  mighty  effort. 
"  There!  "  he  added,  wildly  and  menacingly  brandishing  his  fist 
at  some  imaginary  presence,  as  he  began  to  draw  up  his  limbs  and 
glare  deliriously  around  him  under  another  and  fearful  attack  of 
his  pains,  "there!  I  have  confessed  it,  you  black  fiend!"  and 
with  a  terrible  yell  of  seeming  exultation  and  defiance,  he  fell  back 
convulsed  from  head  to  foot;  and  for  many  moments,  he  appeared 
to  be  wrestling  terribly  with  the  angel  of  death. 

At  length,  however,  he  became  calm,  and  again  opened  his 
eyes  upon  the  horror-stricken,  but  intensely  interested  company. 

"I  can't  live  through  another  like  that— so  let  me  speak  while 


344  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

I  can — you  would  know  more  of  your  son  ?  "  faintly  said  the  re- 
viving  wretch,  turning  his  glazed  and  blood -shot  eye  languidly 
upon  the  Captain. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  replied  the  other  in  a  softened  and  imploring  tone, 
"  yes,  if  you  have  strength  to  go  on,  tell  me,  if  you  know,  for 
God's  sake  tell  me,  whether  there  is  any  hope  for  a  bereaved  and 
sorrow-stricken  old  man  ? — Did  you  ever  hear  of  the  boy — do  you 
think  he  is  still  living  ?  " 

"If  that  boy  lived  to  grow  up,"  said  Darrow,  in  reply, — if  he 
be  still  among  the  living,  Captain  Hendee,  I  believe  he  is  now 
standing  by  your  side." 

Wholly  unprepared  for  a  development  so  unexpected  and  im 
probable,  the  company  stood  silently  gazing  at  each  other  a 
moment  with  looks  of  mingled  doubt  and .  astonishment ;  when 
Selden,  who  was  obviously  the  one  alluded  to  by  the  confessant, 
and  who  had  appeared  thoughtful  and  abstracted  during  Ihe  lat 
ter  part  of  the  conversation,  now  turned  to  the  other,  and,  with 
the  air  of  one  trying  to  recall  some  indistinct  image  of  other 
days,  observed : 

"I  have  some  strange  dim  recollections  —  but  what  circum 
stances  can  you  name  to  warrant  the  belief  you  have  just  ex 
pressed  ? " 

"Why,  if  I  am  right,"  answered  Darrow,  "  as  I  still  think  I 
am,  you  must  have  had,  for  many  years,  if  you  have  not  now,  the 
proof  on  your  person!  For  before  I  parted  from  the  boy,  I 
pricked  two  crossed  arrows,  with  lasting  ink,  into  his  skin,  near 
'he  elbow." 

A  flash  of  joyous  intelligence  instantly  broke  over  the  beaming 
countenance  of  the  young  officer,  and,  as  quick  as  thought,  his 
arm  was  bared  and  held  exultingly  aloft,  disclosing  the  still 
Visibly  impicted  arrows  to  the  astonished  and  delighted  group 
around  him. 

For  one  full  minute  not  a  word  was  uttered,  and  the  mute  elo 
quence  of  the  speaking  countenance  alone  told  the  springing 
emotions  of  those  most  interested  in  this  unexpected  but  happy 
denouement. 

u My  son!"  at  length  convulsively  burst  from  the  trembling 
lips  of  the  overpowered  father:  "  God  bless — bless — bless" — and 
his  voice  died  away  in  whimpering  murmurs,  as  father,  son,  and 
daughter  rushed  into  one  long  sobbing  embrace. 

Aroused  in  a  short  time  from  this  absorbing  scene  of  gushing 
Rjjections?  by  a  noise  from  the  \voundcd  man.  the  company  turned 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  345 

toward  him.  A  change  was  passing  over  his  face,  and  with  the 
low  muttered  words,  "REVENGED — REVENGED  ON  THE  DESTROY 
ERS  OP  MY  SOUL  AND  BODY,  AT  LAST  !  "  he  gave  one  long  quiver- 
ing  gasp  and  expired. 

On  the  proposal  of  Selden,  for  such,  for  convenience,  we  will 
for  the  present  continue  to  call  him,  the  company  now  left  the 
spot,  and  proceeded  to  an  open  and  unincurnbered  space  by  the 
road  side,  where  the  whole  band  were  soon  assembled  preparatory 
to  a  final  removal  from  the  scene  of  action. 

At  that  instant  a  band  of  twenty  armed  horesmen  burst  sudden 
ly  from  the  woods,  and  came  pouring,  in  gallant  array,  along  the 
road  from  the  south  toward  the  spot.  From  their  equipments 
and  general  appearance,  they  were  instantly  discovered  to  be  a 
detachment  of  mounted  riflemen  from  the  Continental  army, 
headed  by  a  field  officer  of  considerable  rank. 

"You  are  the  day  after  the  Fair,  my  hearties,"  gaily  remarked 
Captain  Hendee,  whose  over-mastering  feelings  at  the  recent  joy 
ful  discovery,  had  now  settled  down  into  a  fine  flow  of  spirits. 
"But  I  am  glad  they  have  come,  for  I  want  the  whole  world  to 
know  how  proud  I  feel  of  my  new  found  son." 

"Aye,  but  when  they  hear,"  replied  the  young  officer  in  the 
same  spirit,  "that  we  owe  this  victory,  and  with  it  our  lives, 
solely  to  the  old  veteran's  plan  of  blowing  up  the  enemy  by 
wholesale,  ten  to  one,  they  don't  say,  that  the  son  has  far  the 
more  reason  to  pride  himself  in  the  happy  discovery.  Seriously, 
however,  the  arrival  of  these  men,  at  this  moment,  is  most  op 
portune,  as  some  of  them,  doubtless,  will  give  up  their  horses  to 
convey  you,  the  females  and  children  from  the  place.  But  what 
ails  our  merry  friend  Jones,  yonder  ?  "  he  added,  pointing  to  the 
scout,  who  stood  in  the  foreground,  eagerly  and  with  mouth 
agape,  looking  at  the  advancing  cavalcade,  and  holding  his  cap 
in  his  hand,  as  if  about  to  hurl  it  into  the  air,  in  some  joyous 
outbreak. 

"  He  is  about  to  welcome  them  with  a  few  cheers,  I  suspect,'- 
replied  the  Captain.  "  And  hang  me,  if  I  don't  join  him  ;  for  if 
I  don't  give  vent  to  my  feelings  in  some  way,  I  believe  my  old 
broken  shell  of  a  heart  will  burst  for  very  joy,  like  some  old 
rusty  howitzer,  charged  to  the  muzzle  with  gunpowder." 

"No,  no,  father,"  rejoined  the  other  good  humoredly,  "joy 
rarely  proves  as  explosive  as  that,  I  imagine.  But  I  must  forward 
to  attend  to  this  reception  myself, — Jones,"  he  continued,  ad 
vancing  to  the  front,  "  let  us  ascertain  their  object,  and  a  little 


346  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS. 

more  exactly  who  they  are,  before  we  make  up  our  mouths  for 
much  of  a  hurra  on  the  occasion." 

"Well  that's  jest  what  I'm  at,  Captain,"  said  the  scout;  "  and 
I  calkerlate  I  have  about  two-thirds  found  out  both  them  partic 
ulars  already :  for,  if  twenty-four  hours  ago,  I  had  seen  a  chap 
riding  towards  ine,  with  the  make,  and  bearing  of  that  officer,  who 
sits  so  splendid  in  his  saddle  yonder,  I  would  have  sworn,  with  a 
quarter  of  this  bothering,  that  it  was — and,  by  the  living  Laza 
rus!  I'll  swear  it  is  now— so  here's  hurra  for  the  unshot 
Colonel!  hurra!  hurra!"  he  added,  throwing  his  cap  thirty  feet 
in  the  air,  and  leaping,  in  the  ecstacy  of  his  joyous  emotions,  a 
yard  from  the  earth  at  each  of  his  stentorian  shouts ;  in  the  last 
of  which  he  was  heartily  joined  by  the  whole  band  of  his  de 
lighted  comrades,  as  their  beloved  commander,  the  heroic  War- 
rington,  whom  they  had  mourned  as  slain,  now  came  dashing  up 
to  the  spot,  bowing  low  in  token  of  acknowledgment  of  this  flat 
tering  mark  of  their  esteem. 

"  Had  you  dropped  down  from  the  clouds  before  our  eyes,  Col 
onel  Warrington,"  said  Selden,  after  the  noise  and  bustle  of  this 
enthusiastic  reception  had  a  little  subsided,  * '  your  presence  could 
have  scarcely  more  surprised  us." 

"Indeed!" 

* '  Yes,  you  was  reported  to  have  fallen  in  the  last  moments  of 
the  battle." 

"I  must  then  have  been  mistaken,  I  think,  for  Colonel  Francis." 

"Has  that  noble  fellow  then  indeed  been  added  to  the  honored 
catalogue  of  martyrs  in  our  glorious  cause  ?  " 

"  I  grieve  to  say  it. — He  fell  covered  with  wounds,  bravely 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  regiment." 

"  But  you,  and  your  men  ?  " 

"We  yet  mostly  live  to  give  Burgoyne  a  thrashing.  But  here, 
overpowered  with  numbers,  by  my  own  orders,  we  broke,  scat 
tered  and  fled,  to  meet  again  at  Manchester.  Reaching  Rutland 
last  night,  and  guessing  at  your  course,  and  at  your  danger,  I 
collected  this  small  force,  and  hastened  to  the  rescue.  And  now, 
Captain,  for  your  report,  which,  with  these  evidences  of  a  conflict 
before  me,  I  should  dread  to  hear,  but  for  the  merry  looks  of  the 
men,  and  the  sunny  faces  of  my  fair  friends  whom  I  notice  yon 
der  in  the  rear." 

"  All  in  good  time,  my  dear  Colonel;  but  come,  first  go  along 
with  me,"  said  Selden  with  a  significant  and  slightly  mischievous 
,  as  lie  took  the  arm  of  his  superior,  and  urged  him  forward 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    HOYS.  347 

to  the  spot  where  the  interesting  group  to  which  he  had  just 
alluded  still  stood,  in  the  agitation  of  their  joyful  surprise,  with 
sparkling  eyes  and  happy  and  fluttering  hearts,  eagerly  waiting 
to  greet  him. 

But  over  the  touching  and  tender  scene  that  followed,  marked 
as  it  was  by  the  reuniting  of  long  estranged  hearts,  like  the  rush 
ing  together  of  kindred  waters,  the  surprising  announcement  of 
Selden's  recently  discovered  relationship,  and  the  mad  pranks  of 
the  excited  old  veteran,  now  clamoring  for  the  curses  of  Warring- 
ton  on  his  own  head,  for  his  blindness  and  folly,  and  now  eagerly 
bestowing  the  hand  of  his  daughter,  as  a  compensation  and 
reward,  with  many  a  sob-broken  ejaculation  for  blessings  on  the 
happy  couple — over  all  this  we  will  drop  the  curtain,  not  caring 
to  trust  the  pen  to  vie  with  the  reader's  outstripping  fancy  in  fill 
ing  up  the  picture. 

Before  another  hour  had  elapsed  the  whole  were  mounted  and 
in  motion,  on  their  unmolested  way  to  the  older  settlements  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  Grants. 


CONCLUSION. 

The  rolling  seasons  had  nearly  completed  their  annual  round 
since  the  stirring  incidents,  which  we  last  narrated,  transpired, . 
and  nature  was  again  enrobing  herself  in  the  leafy  glories  of  sum 
mer.  The  great  struggle  on  the  northern  frontiers  was  over. 
The  battle  of  Bennington  had  been  fought  and  won,  immortal 
izing  the  name  of  the  Roman  Stark,  and  covering  with  deathless 
laurels  the  brave  Green  Mountain  Boys.  The  whole  of  that 
proud  army,  indeed,  that  swept,  the  last  season,  so  vauntingly 
along  these  desolated  shores,  had  felt  the  vengeful  arm  of  young 
Freedom,  and  withered  at  the  touch.  The  inhabitants  on  the 
borders  of  Champlain,  who  had  fled  before  the  tempest  of  war, 
had  mostly  returned,  and  were  now  in  possession  of  their  unmo 
lested  homes.  The  seat  of  their  country's  strife  was  removed  to 
a  distance.  And  the  husbandman  was  again  following  his  plough 
in  the  field ;  the  peaceful  sounds  of  the  axemen  were  heard  in 
the  woods,  and  the  hunter  once  more  roamed  his  deer-trod  hills 
unsuspicious  of  hostile  ambush. 

At  the  pleasant,  and  no  longer  desolate  cottage  of  Captain 
Hendee,  a  company,  evidently  much  larger  than  the  usual  family 


348  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

circle,  were  assembled.  The  old  veteran,  as  was  formerly  his 
wont,  was  sitting  in  his  easy  chair  before  one  of  the  open  windows 
of  the  parlor,  solacing  himself  with  his  old  companion,  the  pipe. 
The  other  window  was  occupied  by  a  fine  looking  military  per 
son,  now  in  the  full  bloom  of  vigorous  manhood,  richly  dressed  in 
the  lace-trimmed  uniform,  and  the  surmounted  badges  of  a  field 
oificer  in  the  Continental  army;  while  by  h^s  side  sat  a  peerless 
girl,  whose  simple,  but  rich  and  tasteful  array  of  spotless  white, 
surmounted  by  the  emblematic  rose  of  the  same  color,  instead  of 
the  dumb,  unspeaking  jewel,  told  of  bridal  preparation.  They 
were  gazing  out  upon  the  glittering  expanse  of  the  breeze-ruffled 
waters  of  the  Lake,  and  the  gratified  eye  of  the  officer  was  rest  • 
ing  on  the  bright  folds  of  his  country's  flag,  which  was  again 
proudly  waving  in  the  distance  over  the  walls  of  the  opposite  for 
tress;  while  the  delicately  blended  fondness  and  respect,  that 
marked  the  blissful  look  of  each,  and  the  tender  pathos  of  their 
low  intermingling  voices,  as  they  exchanged  the  occasional  re 
mark,  betokened  the  presence  of  mutual  confidence  and  love. 
There  was  another  maiden  in  the  room,  scarcely  less  beautiful 
than  the  one  just  mentioned,  but  though  arrayed,  like  her  fair 
companion,  in  the  bridal  garb,  yet  she  sat  unmated  and  alone, 
now  listlessly  running  over  the  leaves  of  a  little  volume  in  her 
hand,  and  now  anxiously  and  impatiently  glancing  through  the 
window  along  one  road  to  the  south,  as  if  expecting  the  appear 
ance  of  some  one  from  that  quarter.  The  only  other  person  at 
present  in  this  apartment,  with  whom  the  reader  has  been  made 
acquainted,  was  a  modest,  staid  looking  female,  who,  though 
comely,  and  not  greatly  faded,  had  yet  evidently  out-lived,  by 
many  years,  the  freshness  and  bloom  of  beauty's  most  favored 
period.  She  was  sitting  quietly  in  a  corner,  partly  screened  from 
the  rest  of  the  company  by  the  door  that  swung  inward.  She, 
also,  had  been  companionless,  and  had  not,  like  the  restless  fair 
one  last  described,  appeared  to  expect  to  be  otherwise.  But  at 
this  moment,  a  singularly  tall,  woodsman-looking  fellow  came 
stooping  through  the  door-way  from  the  adjoining  room,  where 
part  of  the  company  still  remained;  when  after  throwing  a  half- 
sheepish,  half  mischievous  look  around  him,  apparently  to  see  if 
his  movement  was  particularly  noticed,  he  sidled  around  the 
twinging  door,  with  a  sort  of  hesitating,  stealthy  air,  and  sunk 
by  degrees  into  a  chair  beside  the  demure  looking  damsel  of  whom 
we  were  speaking. 

"Well,  now,  if  this  ain't  a  curious  fix!  "  were  his  first  words— * 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  849 

"  I  vow  to  Never-come- Jack — o,  sort  of  Saturday  in  the  afternoon- 
chap  that  we  used  to  swear  by  in  the  army — if  it  ain't  too  bad! 
Don't  you  think  so,  now,  honestly,  Miss  Ruth  ?  " 

"  What  is  it  that  you  complain  of  as  so  bad,  Mr.  Jones  ? "  re 
plied  the  girl,  with  a  good-natured  and  encouraging  smile,  which 
seemed  instantly  to  reassure  her  somewhat  flustered  companion, 
as  he  replied: 

'  *  What  do  I  complain  of  ? — Why,  to  be  invited,  as  I  was,  by 
the  Colonel  and  Alma  there,  to  be  here  at  two  o'clock,  to  sec  three 
weddings;  when  now  it  is  well  along  towards  night,  and  one 
bridegroom  don't  get  on  according  to  agreement,  and  no  parson 
come  to  fix  them  that  are  here  and  ready  for  it.  Now,  I  like  to 
see  folks  put  out  of  their  misery  in  some  kind  of  season,  and  so 
do  the  rest  of  them,  I've  a  notion :  only  jest  look  at  the  old  Cap 
tain  yonder!  He  is  getting  out  of  sorts  at  the  delay,  rather 
rapid,  a  body  would  guess,  by  the  manner  he  is  puffing  away  at 
his  old  comforter  there.  And  there  is  the  Scotch  bird,  too;  may 
I  miss  my  next  aim  on  Old  Trusty,  if  I  don't  believe  she'll  fly 
away,  if  Major  Selden,  as  he  has  now  got  to  be — Major  Hendee, 
I  s'pose,  you'll  call  him  here — don't  come  soon." 

u  Jessy  docs,  indeed,  appear  rather  uneasy,"  observed  the 
other,  "and  I  really  wonder  Edward  don't  come,  myself.  He 
sent  us  word  that  he  expected  to  get  the  Sherwood  property  all 
settled,  so  as  to  start  from  Albany  yesterday  morning.  But  you 
said  three  weddings  didn't  you  ?  " 

"  Three,  did  I  say,  Ruth  ?"  said  Pete,  with  waggish  gravity. 
"Well,  two  then — that  is,  if  there  ain't  raaly  any  chance  to  be 
another,  no  way." 

"Why,  what  other  could  there  be  ?"  said  Ruth,  quite  inno 
cently. 

"Well,  now,  I  can't  exactly  say,  but  I  was  thinking  it  was 
rather  a  pity  there  shouldn't  be  another  match  worked  up  here 
somehow  ?"  replied  the  scout,  with  a  look  at  the  other  so  signi- 
cant,  that  it  brought  the  blood  into  her  cheeks.  "  You  hold  to 
save  time  and  and  expense,  don't  you  ? " 

"Why,  it  is  well  enough  to  think  of  that  in  some  cases,  per 
haps,  "muttered  the  doubtful  and  confused  girl. 

"Then,  suppose,  when  the  priest  comes,"  said  the  other,  with 
a  roguish  squint  at  her  glowing  cheeks  and  downcast  looks,  "  sup 
pose  you  jest  stand  up  with — with — with  old  Captain  Hendee 
to  be  noosed  the  same  time  his  children  are  ?" 

"0,  nonsense!  Mr.  Jones,"  replied  tho  girl,  greatly  relieved, 


350  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

and  yet  evidently  disappointed  at  this  turn  in  the  scouts  remarks, 
which  she  supposed  were  to  terminate  in  proposing  one  much 
nearer  home — "  Captain  Hendee!  why,  he  is  old  enough  to  be  my 
father!  Besides,  he  would  not  have  me." 

"Yes  he  would." 

"No  he  wouldn't." 

"Well,  if  he  should  flummux  at  such  a  chance,  I  know  of  a 
chap  —  and  not  too  old,  neither  —  who'll  agree  to  take  his 
place." 

"  Eeally,  Mr.  Jones,  I  think  you  must  be  trying  to  trifle  with 
me?" 

"Mayhap  you've  mistaken,  now,"  said  Jones,  with  the  air  of 
one  about  to  make  some  hazardous  push,  but  looking  keenly 
about  for  some  chance  to  secure  his  retreat. 

"Then  how  am  I  to  consider  what  you  say  ?  "  asked  the  other, 
seriously. 

"Why — why,"  said  Pete,  hesitating,  but  finding  himself  at  a 
point  where  he  must  back  out  entirely,  or  proceed  directly  with 
his  object,  he  added,  with  a  sort  of  desperate  resolution — "yes, 
I  win — so  here  goes  for  dead  ruin — you  may  consider  it,  Kuth, 
as  good  and  earnest  an  offer,  as  ever  a  man  stuck  an  axe  in  a 
tree." 

"Why,  surely,  Mr.  Jones!— this  Is  so  sudden — so  unexpected, 
that  you  cannot  expect  me  now,  as  you  have  never  before  spoken 
to  me  on  the  subject — 

"No;  but  I've  looked  at  you  on  the  subject,  Ruth;  and  that 
an't  all — I  have  thought  on  the  subject,  and  that,  too,  ever  since 
I  left  off  sogering,  after  we  had  used  up  that  old  trooper,  Bur- 
goyne,  last  fall.  But  I  didn't  know  how  to  get  at  the  bothering 
business.  And  now  I  have  got  at  it,  I  want  to  do  it  all  up,  while 
I've  got  the  knack  of  it.  Now,  all  I've  to  say  for  myself,  by  \vay 
of  recommendation,  is  jest  only  this — I  have  a  farm,  and  can  Zove 
like  a  two-year-old.  And,  if  you  can  go  it  on  that,  let  us  agree 
on  the  spot,  and  go  off  with  the  rest." 

"Impossible,  Mr.  Jones — that  is  now— if— if  I  had  a  little  time 
for  reflection — perhaps — 

"Good!  grand!  glorious!  I'll  give  you  time,  till  the  parson 
comes-- a  good  half  hour,  I'll  warrant  you,"  exclaimed  the 
woodsman,  leaping  up,  in  his  ecstacy,  and,  with  a  sudden  bolt 
through  the  door,  bounding  off  into  the  fields,  and  giving  vent 
to  his  delighted  feelings  in  his  old  chorus,  "  Trol,  lol,  lol,  de 
iarly!" 


TITS    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS.  351 

At  that  moment  a  horseman  rode  hastily  into  the  yard,  leaped 
from  his  saddle,  and,  with  a  few  light  and  joyous  bounds,  landed 
on  the  threshold. 

"My  brother  !"  exclaimed  Alma,  rising  and  rushing  to  the 
door. 

"My  son,  God  bless  you!"  said  the  Captain,  hobbling  for 
ward,  with  extended  hand.  "  But  how  came  you  to  be  lagging 
at  such  a  juncture  as  this,  you  truant  ? " 

"O,  Edward  !  "  cried  Jessy,  bursting  from  an  adjoining  room, 
to  which  she  had  a  few  moments  before  retired.  "  O,  Edward !  " 
repeated  the  joyful  but  wayward  girl,  flying  to  the  open  arms  of 
her  betrothed,  now  dashing  her  hands  about  her  to  clear  her  way 
among  the  advancing  group,  and  now  shaking  her  slender  finger 
aloft,  irr affected  menace,  as  she  went,  "now,  if  I  don't  punish 
you  for  this,  sir!  Back!  back!  all  of  you,  till  I  deal  with  the 
villain  for  his  conduct." 

"Fairly  a  prisoner,  sir;  you  may  as  well  surrender,  Major," 
gaily  observed  Warrington,  to  the  laughing  young  officer,  now 
enclosed  on  every  side  by  besieging  friends. 

"Aye,  aye,  Colonel."  blithely  replied  the  latter;  "but  I  shall 
be  upon  my  parole  in  a  moment,  I  think ;  when  I  will  pay  my 
respects — I  have  a  glad  secret  for  your  ear,  Warrington." 

"A  secret!  a  secret  to  be  kept  from  us,  at  this  hour!"  ex 
claimed  both  of  the  girls,  at  once,  summoning  a  storm  of  affected 
indignation  to  their  pretty  brows. 

"Ah!  you  little  tyrannizers ! "  said  the  Major,  jocosely,  "you 
are  wise  to  make  the  most  of  your  power  now ;  for  your  reign  is 
short.  I  saw  the  parson  falling  into  the  road  behind  me,  about 
a  mile  back." 

The  last  intimation  seemed  to  produce  an  instant  effect  on  the 
young  officer's  fair  assailants.  And  releasing  him  at  once,  they 
fled,  in  maidenly  dismay,  to  their  private  apartment,  to  com 
pose  and  prepare  themselves  for  the  happy,  though  half-dreaded 
crisis. 

"  Now,  my  sou,  tell  us,  in  a  word,  what  success  you  have  met 
with  at  Albany,"  said  Captain  Hendee,  turning  to  his  son,  as  the 
girls  disappeared. 

"Very  fair:  the  business  is  all  definitely  settled  at  last." 

' '  Right  glad  to  hear  that  •,  but  first,  I  am  curious  to  know  with 
what  kind  of  a  face  that  black-hearted  imp  of  mischief,  Jake 
Bherv*  (od,  met  you,  after  all  that  has  happened  ?  " 

"  fl    vas  not  till  after  many  fruitless  efforts,  and  a  long  negoci- 


352  THE    QUEEN    MOUNTAIN-  BOYS. 

ation,  carried  on  with  him  by  a  go-between  of  his  own  kidney, 
that  he  could  be  induced  to  came  from  his  lurking  places,  to  face 
me  at  all.  And  when  he  did,  it  was  with  the  same  fawning  and 
cringing,  the  same  dissembling  and  falsehood,  that  has  marked 
his  whole  career." 

"  And  what  kind  of  a  treaty  did  you  at  length  conclude  with 
the  arch  villian  ?  " 

"Better  than  he  had  any  reason  to  expect  from  those  who  had 
both  the  right  and  the  power  on  their  side :  for,  after  taking  from 
the  estate,  that  part  which  Jake  had  counted  as  his  own,  by 
Uncle's  will,  when  I  was  considered  as  disposed  of,  and  which,  of 
course,  became  mine,  on  establishing  my  identity  as  your  son — and 
after  deducting  also  the  legacies,  which  old  Sherwood's  conscience 
wrung  from  him,  in  favor  of  you  and  Alma,  together  with  the 
sums,  which  the  indefatigable  Vanderpool  had  found  evidence. of 
having  been  embezzled  by  the  old  man  out  of  your  property — 
even  after  counting  your  legacies  as  so  much  restitution — after 
deducting  all  these,  there  would  have  been  a  mere  pittance  in 
equity,  and  nothing,  probably,  in  law,  left  for  the  miscreant.  And 
as  he  had  been  apprised  of  this  by  Vanderpool,  whom  he  could 
neither  intimidate  nor  corrupt,  he  chose  to  throw  himself  on  my 
mercy,  rather  than  contend  with  us  in  law." 

"  Well,  as  skilfully  as  this  web  of  iniquity  was  woven,  it  is  all 
unravelled,  then,  at  last.  But  what  did  you  finally  allow  him  ?  " 

1 '  A  thousand  pounds  ;  for,  while  I  despised,  I  could  not  but 
pity  the  abject  wretch.  He  signed  acquittances,  received  his  por 
tion,  in  money  and  drafts,  and,  the  same  day,  as  I  accidentally 
learned,  started  off  to  join  his  tory  brethren  at  the  south." 

The  conversation  was  here  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  the 
parson,  who  had  scarcely  been  ushered  into  the  house,  before  yet 
another  guest  was  announced.  This  was  the  amazon  widow,  who 
now  rode  into  the  yard,  attended  by  Neshobee,  each  having  a 
brace  of  her  hardy  urchins,  disposed  of  behind  and  before,  on  tho 
cruppers  and  necks  of  the  Captain's  thus  trebly  burdened  horses, 
which  had  been  kindly  sent  for  that  purpose  early  in  the  morning. 

"  Not  at  the  eleventh  hour  after  all,"  said  the  woman,  as  with 
stately  tread  she  came  sweeping  into  the  room,  and  gave  her  hand 
successively  to  each  of  the  assembled  guests,  who  rose,  and  with 
"looks  of  mingled  cordiality  and  respect,  advanced  to  meet  her. 
Well,  I  am  gratified  to  find  I  am  not  too  late  to  witness  the  cere* 
mony,  though  another  motive  mainly  prompted  my  coming." 

"  Another  motive  ?"  said  the  Captain*  "what  might  that  be?  " 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  353 

"  Gratitude,"  rejoined  the  widow,  feelingly — "  to  offer,  in  per 
son,  the  thanks  and  blessing  of  the  widow  and  fatherless  to  these 
brave  and  generous  young  officers,  for  their  undeserved  gift  of  fifty 
pounds." 

*  *  Not  undeserved,  especially  from  us,  permit  me  to  say,  Mrs. 
Story,"  replied  Major  Hendee,  "And  our  only  fear  was,  that  it 
would  not  even  requite  you  for  the  losses  you  sustained  on  our 
account  on  that  fearful  night,  which  none  of  us  can  ever  forget.'* 

"  Not  requite  me ?  O,  more — doubly  so,"  replied  the  woman, 
mastering  her  grateful  emotions,  and  resuming  her  naturally  free 
and  easy  manner:  "Why,  gentlemen,  if  you  would  but  visit  us 
there  now,  you  would  see  a  new  house  worth  two  of  the  old  one ; 
flourishing  crops,  and  a  well  provisioned  and  happy  family — and 
all  from  your  bounty." 

"  Our  pittance,  if  you  please,"  observed  the  Colonel,  "  and  that 
too,  under  the  management  of  one,  who,  I  must  say,  of  all 
women — " 

"Has  the  least  patience  with  a  flatterer,  Colonel,"  interrupted 
the  widow  with  good-natured  bluntess,  jumping  up  and  going  to 
the  window,  as  something  seemed  suddenly  to  occur  to  her  mind. 
"Now.  I  should  like  to  know,  if  you  gentlemen  can  tell  me, "she 
resumed,  after  gazing  out  on  the  lake  a  moment,  "I  should  like  to 
know  the  meaning  of  the  great  stir  I  noticed  over  at  the  fort,  as  I 
came  down  the  road :  one  would  think  they  were  preparing  for  a 
battle." 

"  We  heard  a  firing  in  the  direction  of  Ticonderoga  an  hour  or 
two  ago,  which  we  could  not  account  for,  but  have  noticed  noth 
ing  unusual  over  here,  I  believe,"  said  Captain  Hendee,  looking 
enquiringly  at  the  two  officers. 

"Ah!"  your  promised  secret,  Major?"  cried  Warrington, 
perceiving  a  knowing  and  mysterious  smile  upon  the  countenance 
of  the  other. 

"You  shall  have  it  now — the  rest  of  the  (Company  will  know  it 
soon,"  replied  the  Major,  approaching  his  superior  and  whispering 
in  his  ear. 

' '  God  bless  you  for  the  news !  "  exclaimed  the  Colonel,  with  a 
look  of  joyful  surprise.  "  But  where  did  you  meet  him  ?  " 

"  At  Bennington,  where  he  arrived  but  three  days  ago  amidst 
the  roar  of  guns  and  the  shouts  of  a  rejoicing  people.  I  persuaded 
him  to  come  on  with  me,  as  he  did,  to  Skenesboro' ;  when  he  took 
tho  water,  while  I  came  by  land,  having  first  despatched  a  runner 
to  notify  the  garrisons  at  the  two  posts  of  his  approach." 


3.54  THE    G&EEX    UOr^TAttf   SOTS. 

"Heaven  be  praised!"  rejoined  Warrington,  "and  let  the 
Green  Mountains  rejoice!  '' 

"They  will,  soon;  for  yonder  be  comes,  by  Jove!  "  exclaimed 
tbe  Major,  eagerly  pointing  out  upon  the  -lake. 

At  that  instant  the  house  shook  and  trembled  to  the  reverber 
ating  roar  of  a  twenty-four  pounder,  belching  forth  a  cloud  of  fire 
and  smoke  from  the  gray  walls  of  the  opposite  fortress. 

The  surprised  and  startled  company  instantly  rushed  into  the 
yard.  A  light  sail  boat  had  just  made  her  appearance  on  the 
lake  from  the  south,  and  with  bellying  canvass,  was  now  scudding 
rapidly  before  the  freshening  breeze,  with  her  course  evidently 
let  for  the  fort.  As  she  neared.  a  tall,  erect,  military  figure 
appeared  conspicuously  standing  on  the  forecastle,  with  folded 
arms,  gazing  steadily  forward  towards  the  works,  around  whose 
ramparts  were  seen  the  long  rows  of  the  expectant  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  garrison;  while,  at  momentary  intervals,  came  the 
welcoming  peal  of  the  deep-mouthed  gun.  At  length  the  sails 
of  the  vessel  were  furled,  and  she  swept  round  and  lay  to.  direct 
ly  abreast  of  the  fort ;  which,  the  next  instant,  was  suddenly 
enveloped  in  a  springing  cloud  of  smoke,  while  the  tall  forest 
around  nodded  to  the  united  roar  of  a  dozen  cannon,  among  the 
broken  echoes  of  which,  as  they  rolled  from  shore  to  shore  and 
died  away  among  the  far  responding  mountains,  was  heard  the 
noisy  salute  of  drums,  and  the  reiterated  cheers  of  the  soldiery, 
once  more  making  the  welkin  ring  with  the  name  of  "Ethan 
Allen!" 

After  a  brief  interval  of  silence,  the  same  little  craft  was  seen, 
with  hoisted  sails,  emerging  from  the  lifting  clouds  of  smoke,  and 
making  her  way  directly  across  the  lake  towards  the  cottage. 
And  in  ten  minutes  more  the  hero  of  the  Green  Mountains,  unex 
pectedly  returned  from  a  long  and  painful  captivity,  was  receiv 
ed,  and  ushered  into  the  house  amidst  the  warm  and  unfeigned 
congratulations  of  tbe  rejoicing  party. 

••  Well,  Colonel  Allen."  said  Captain  Hendee,  scanning  the  thin 
and  worn  person  of  the  other,  as  they  all  became  seated  in  the 
room,  "  they  have  rather  worsted  you  in  your  captivity,  I  per 
ceive:  you  are  now  hardly  the  staunch  and  iron-bound  fellow 
you  was  three  years  ago,  when  eight  or  ten  armed  hirelings  came 
here  to  seize  you  as  a  York  outlaw,  but  were  fairly  cowed  out  of 
the  attempt  till  they  supposed  you  asleep,  and  a  little  worse  off 
than  that  too,  perhaps." 

"Aha!  my  old  friend,  do  you  remember  that  foolish  scrape  ?" 


777  /-:    'r'/iV-.'.V.Y     MOrXTAJy    BOTS.  355 


replied  Allen.  "No,  no,  Captain,  not  the  man  I  was  then,"  he 
added,  glancing  over  the  huge  raw  bones  of  his  shrunken  frame 
with  a  melancholy  smile  ;  "no,  the  British  could  never  forgive 
me  for  taking  old  Ti.  ;  so  with  characteristic  magnanimity  to  a 
fallen  foe,  they  took  their  revenge  by  battering,  hewing,  hacking, 
and  starving  the  old  body,  till  there  is  scarcely  enough  left  of  it 
to  furnish  a  habitable  tenement  for  the  soul,  which  remains  as 
whole  and  sound  as  ever  ;  for  that,  thank  God,  they  could  neither 
kill  nor  bribe.11 

'•Bribe!  bribe!  did  they  really  try  to  do  that  ?  "  exclaimed  the 
young  officers,  laughing  at  the  thought  of  an  attempt  to  buy  up 
Ethan  Allen. 

"To  be  sure,  did  the  infernal  fools  !  '5  said  Allen,  "  and  that 
more  than  once  ;  though  the  last,  and  perhaps  the  best  offer  I 
ever  had  to  induce  me  to  damn  myself,  that  is,  to  become  one,  of 
them,  was  made  me  by  a  high  dignitary  of  the  crown,  who,  in  be 
half  of  his  prince,  as  he  said,  offered  me  nearly  half  the  lands  in 
Vermont,  if  I  would  enter  his  service  against  my  countrymen!— 
the  Christies*  knave!  It  was  well  for  him  that  I  was  handcuffed, 
at  the  time.11 

11  And  what  answer  did  you  give  him  ?  "  asked  Warrington, 
curiously, 

"Answer?"  replied  Allen,  smoothing  his  dark  brows,  which 
had  become  fierce  and  stormy  at  the  remembered  insult,  "what 
answer  ?  why,  I  told  the  royal  ape  to  go  and  tell  his  master,  that 
he  reminded  me,  in  his  offer  to  give  me  lands  in  America,  of  a 
certain  other  prince,  mentioned  in  Scripture,  who  took  the  Saviour 
up  into  a  high  mountain,  and  showing  him  all  the  kingdoms  of 
the  world,  offered  to  give  him  the  whole  of  them,  if  he  would 
fall  down  and  worship  him,—  when  the  fact  was,  the  poor  devil 
had  not  a  single  foot  of  land  on  earth  to  give  !  " 

The  subject  was  here  dropped  by  common  consent  :  when,  after 
a  brief  pause,  Major  Hen  dee  turned  a  significant  look  upon  his 
rather,  who  seemed  readily  to  understand  what  was  now  expected 
of  him,  and  he  accordingly  observed  :  — 

"I  suppose  you  have  been  apprised,  Colonel  Allen,  of  the 
happy  occasion,  upon  which,  after  all  our  troubles,  we  have  been 
permitted  to  assemble  ?  ?1 

'•  I  havt-.  sir,"  gallantly  answered  the  other,  '•  and  I  felt,  that 
my  peculiar  notions,  relative  to  the  certainty  of  the  earthly 
rewards  of  bravery  and  virtue,  were  strikingly  confirmed,  when 


3-,6  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

I  learned,  that  my  two  friends  here  were  about  to  draw  such  rich 
prizes  in  the  lottery  of  life." 

"Ah!  Colonel  Allen,"  exclaimed  Jessy  archly,  "you,  too,  caught 
playing  the  flatterer  ?  I  had  thought  well  enough  of  you  to  believe 
you  an  exception  to  the  generality  of  men,  in  that  respect.  But 
I'll  expose  you,  my  brave  Colonel ! — What  did  you  say  and  pre 
dict  at  the  time  you  captured  Ticonderoga,  respectingthe  intimacy 
which  you  were  then  accidently  led  to  suspect  existed  between 
your  then  Lieutenant  Selden  and  Colonel  Reed's  daughter  ?  " 

"Why  the  deuce  is  to  pay!  "  cried  Allen,  taken  rather  aback  by 
his  fair  antagonist — "  there  has  been  treason  here,  somewhere.  I 
recollect  something  about  my  misgivings  in  the  matter.  But  I 
am  not  a  going  to  be  tricked  out  of  my  compliment,  at  all  events: 
for  if  the  daughter  of  a  British  Colonel  has  the  independence  to 
marry  a  Yankee  rebel,  she  must  be,  to  him,  at  least,  a  prize  rich 
ly  worth  the  winning," 

"  She  is  not  married  yet,"  observed  Captain  Hendee,  with  well 
assumed  seriousness:  "  for  before  that  is  suffered  to  take  place, 
I,  who  stand  as  a  sort  of  sponsor  for  the  girl,  must  be  heard  in 
the  business :  and  to  this  end,  I  beg  leave  to  read  a  little  from 
my  letter  of  instructions  from  her  father ;  which  I  have  never 
before  made  known,"  he  added,  producing  a  letter,  from  which 
he  proceeded  to  read  to  his  surprised  and  wondering  auditors  the 
following  extract : 

"  Wi'  regard  to  that  wayward  bairn  o'  mine,  an'  that  Mr.  Na- 
body,  her  rebel  lover,  as  I  became  satisfied  he  was,  it  is  out  o'  the 
question  I  should  be  consentin'  to  a  match  of  sic  a  sort.  Na,  she 
must  be  cured,  an'  in  some  sic  way  as  I  named  to  you.  An'  that 
being  done,  then  her  old  lover,  Major  Skene,  will  come  in  for 
an  easy  conquest.  But  in  your  moves  to  this  object,  let  me  again 
caution  you  to  beware  how  you  forbid  this  intimacy ;  for  ever 
since  mother  Eve's  dido  wi'  the  apple,  the  moment  you  forbid, 
the  Diel  taks  the  woman." 

"Father,  how  is  this,  and  at  this  late  hour?"  exclaimed  the 
astonished  son,  glancing  from  the  former  to  the  no  less  surprised 
girl  at  his  side,  who  also  began  to  open  her  lips  in  remonstrance, 
when,  detecting  a  lurking  smile  on  the  old  gentleman's  counte 
nance,  she  stopped  short. 

"Perhaps  we  may  as  well  read  a  passage  from  another  letter 
of  a  more  recent  date,"  said  the  Captain,  opening  another  paper, 
from  which,  after  slyly  enjoying  the  perplexity  of  the  party  inter 
ested,  a  moment,  he  read* —  .._..- 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  957 

'*  So  you  sly  old  Yankee,  you  an'  Jessy  hae  contrived  to  check 
mate  me  at  last!  This  comes  o'  leaving  a  daughter  in  a  land  o' 
rebellion :  nathless  I  canna  but  say,  I  regret  that  circumstances 
will  not  permit  me  to  be  present  to  take  my  stoup  on  the  merry 
occasion,  which  you  say,  wi'  my  consent,  is  to  tak  place  early  the 
coming  summer:  weel,  you  may  tell  the  younker,  wi'out  hinting 
my  good  opinion  o'  him  as  aboon  written,  that,  upon  the  whole, 
I  will  own  him  as  a  son-in-law,  provided  he  will  tak  the  crap 
o'  wild  oats  which  the  chick,  frae  sa  plentifu'  a  sowing,  must 
now  hae  ready  for  the  reaping,  as  a  portion  o'  the  wife's 
dowry." 

"Gad!  I  begin  to  like  the  humorous  old  fellow,"  said  Allen, 
"  and  that  stoup  which  he  regrets  he  can  not  take  with  us,  I  will 
drink  to  his  health  as  an  extra  bumper  after  the  ceremony. 
Though  before  that  takes  place,  I  would  ask  if  there  are  no  more 
cases  which  might  be  settled  at  this  time  ? " 

"  We  know  of  none,"  replied  the  Captain  and  his  son,  to  whom 
the  last  part  of  the  speaker's  remarks  had  been  addressed  in  ai? 
undertone. 

"  I  don't  know  about  that, "rejoined  the  former,  "I  have  been 
looking  about  me  a  little,  and  it  strikes  me  that  there  are  ma* 
terials  enough,  at  least.  If  you  will  make  me  master  of  the  cere 
monies,  with  powers  to  draw  out  the  parties  ? — 

4 'Certainly,  certainly,  Colonel,"  replied  the  others,  laughing, 
but  shaking  their  heads  dubiously  at  the  well  understood  sug' 
gestion. 

"  No  faith,  eh  ?  Well,  there  is  nothing  like  trying,"  rejoined 
Allen.  "  Jones,"  he  continued,  now  turning  round  to  the  scout, 
who  had  resumed  his  seat  by  the  side  of  Ruth,  "  Jones,  you  have 
been  a  brave  fellow— how  is  it  that  you  are  not  to  be  rewarded, 
at  this  time,  as  well  as  the  rest  ?" 

"Well,  I've  jest  been  thinking,  Colonel,"  replied  Jones, 
screwing  up  his  phiz,  now  queerly  streaked  with  blushes, 
"that  it  was  rather  a  hard  case,  considering,  that  I  shouldn't 
have  any  share  in  the  loaves  and  fishes.  But  the  fact  is, 
that  the  fish  I've  had  in  my  eye,"  he  added,  casting  a  sheepish 
glance  at  Ruth,  "  won't  quite  say,  whether  I'm  to  be  in  luck  to 
day,  or  not." 

"Aha!  just  as  I  thought.  But  she  shall  say,"  cried  Allen, 
advancing  a  step  towards  the  confused  and  blushing  maiden,  on 
whom  all  eyes  were  now  turned  in  surprise,  at  this  development 
of  a  courtship  so  little  expected;  "she  shall  give  you  an  answer, 


358  THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN  BOY8. 

at  least,  or,  by  the  wrath  of  Cupid  !  she  shall  be  punished  for  her 
cruelty  by  running  a  kissing  gauntlet  through  the  company.  And 
I'll  have  the  first  one,1'  he  added,  still  further  advancing,  as  if  to 
suit  the  action  to  the  word. 

"  It  is  so  ridiculous!"  stammered  the  shrinking  Ruth. 

"Perhaps  you  had  rather  say  yes  to  my  worthy  friend,  here  ?" 
said  the  former,  his  lip  slightly  curling  with  a  sportive  smile. 

"I  should— that  is,  I — I  should,"  replied  the  girl,  dropping 
her  head  in  confusion. 

"  Do  you  see  that  ?  "  exultingly  said  Allen — "I  have  succeeded 
in  spite  of  your  faithlessness :  nor  do  I  believe  my  triumphs  need 
end  even  here." 

"Ah!  I  will  knock  under,  Colonel,"  observed  the  Captain, 
laughing. 

"  Ay,  ay,"  responded  the  Major,  gaily,  "  we  must  now  acknowl 
edge  your  prowess  in  the  court  of  Cupid,  as  well  as  in  the  camp 
of  Mars.  But  be  not  over  ambitious,  lest  your  zeal  be  dampened 
by  a  failure.  Where  will  you  find  materials  for  another  triumph  ? " 

"Here,"  answered  the  other,  pointing  to  Neshobee  and  Zilpah, 
who,  for  reasons  best  understood  by  themselves,  had  also  paired 
off  in  a  corner  together.  "  I  have  been  reading  eyes,  which  are 
about  the  only  book  I  ever  read  where  we  are  sure  of  the  truth ; 
and  if  those  who  control  these  persons  should  have  no  objec 
tions—" 

"Nevermind  that,  Colonel,  if  you  have  faith  for  the  trial," 
exclaimed  the  old  Captain,  entering  into  the  full  spirit  of  the 
game. 

"  Upon  my  word,  Colonel  Allen,  I  think  you  a  most  incorrigible 
meddler;  but  you  may  proceed,  for  aught  I  care,"  said  Miss  Reed, 
pouting  most  beautifully. 

"Ah,  don't  laugh,  ye  wise  ones,  till  you  see,"  said  the  jovial 
matchmaker,  confidently.  "Well,  Miss  Zilpah,"  he  continued, 
familiarly  addressing  the  half-blood,  "you  see  which  way  your 
young  mistress  is  about  to  travel — now,  as  you  intend  to  follow 
her  fortunes,  don't  you  think  it  would  be  more  pleasant  and  suit 
able  for  you,  to  have  some  such  brave  and  trusty  companion  on 
the  road  as  Neshobee  here  would  make  you  ?  " 

'(  Ki !  "  exclaimed  the  girl,  with  a  blush  which  brought  her 
cheek  to  a  fellow  redness  with  that  of  the  young  Indian  by  her 
side.  "  He  !  you  queer  man  !  But  Neshobee,  lie  no  hab  me." 

"Good"  cried  the  former,  "there  is  a  challenge  for  you,  my 
red  friend.  She  says  vo,u  won't  marry  her!  " 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS.  359 

"Umpli!  "  uttered  the  still  grave,  though  evidently  delighted 
native,  "me  never  know  Zilpah  tell  lie  before." 

"There!  you  unbelievers,"  exclaimed  Allen,  looking  round 
triumphantly  upon  the  company,  "  see  what  a  man  can  do.  Now 
parson,  do  your  duty." 

Header,  our  story  is  told,  and,  with  a  word  upon  the  subsequent 
career  of  those  in  whose  destinies  we  trust  we  have  been  able  in 
some  degree  to  interest  you,  we  will  bid  you  adieu : 

Of  that  singular,  bold,  rough,  versatile,  yet  honest  and  strong 
minded  man,  Ethan  Allen,  little  more  need  be  said.  The  remain- 
"dcr  of  his  public  life  was  devoted  to  the  accomplishment  of  that 
object,  for  which  he  had  so  fearlessly  contended  before  the  Revolu 
tion,  the  independence  of  his  state.  And  her  history  sufficiently 
attests  to  the  importance  of  his  services. 

The  gallant  young  officers,  after  their  twice  extended  furloughs 
had  expired,  leaving  their  lovely  and  loving  wives  at  the  cottage  of 
Captain  Hendee,  to  cheer  and  soothe  the  old  veteran  in  his  de 
clining  years,  and,  in  due  time,  to  render  his  second  childhood 
anything  but  cornpanionless,  returned  to  their  posts  in  the  army  in 
which,  honored  and  distinguished,  they  remained,  till  they  had 
witnessed  the  achievement  of  their  country's  independence;  when 
they  retired  to  their  homes  in  the  Green  Mountains,  to  receive  from 
their  fellow-citizens  those  substantial  memorials  of  their  esteem 
which  may  still  be  found  recorded  among  some  of  the  early  acts  of 
the  Legislature  of  Vermont,  granting  valuable  tracts  of  land  to 
certain  individuals  for  important  public  services. 

Pete  Jones  and  his  staid  spouse  immediately  repaired  to  their 
little  opening  in  the  woods,  where,  having  renewed  his  acquaint 
ance  with  his  rusty  axe,  he  caused  the  forest  to  melt  away  before 
his  powerful  arm,  till  his  labors  were  rewarded  by  one  of  the  best 
farms  on  the  borders  of  the  lake;  while  his  wife  became  one  of  the 
most  notable  of  housewives,  having  never  had  cause  to  regret  her 
abrupt  connection  with  the  eccentric,  though  amiable  woodsman, 
as  may  be  inferred  from  the  opinions  she  was  often  heard  to  ex 
press  in  favor  of  long  men  and  short  courtships. 

Widow  Story  remained  on  her  farm,  cultivating  and  enlarging  it 
with  her  own  hands  for  many  years  ;  when,  her  oldest  son,  having 
at  length  been  enabled  to  butt  his  mother,  to  use  a  chopper's  phrase, 
that  is,  to  get  off  his  cut  first,  in  a  trial  of  skill  on  the  same  log, 
she  concluded  to  betake  herself  to  household  duties,  giving  up  her 
farm  work  to  her  sturdy  little  band  of  foresters,  who,  in  the  pro- 


360  TEE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS. 

cess  of  time,  let  in  the  sun  on  extensive  tracts  of  some  of  the  finest 
lands  on  Otter  Creek. 

Neshobee  and  his  yellow  rib  continued  to  reside  on  the  farm  of 
Captain  Hendee,  in  a  log  hut  built  expressly  for  them,  till  the  old 
gentleman's  death ;  when  they  removed  to  the  woody  shores  of  the 
Horicon,  where  they  spent  their  days  in  a  ceaseless  warfare  upon 
the  beautiful  trout  of  the  lake,  and  the  deer,  bear,  and  other  wild 
animals  of  its  surrounding  shores. 

And,  lastly,  the  miscreant  Sherwood,  who,  through  the  inscru 
table  ways  of  Providence,  was  permitted  to  live,  Cain-like,  to  old 
age,  found  his  way,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  to  the  common 
refuge  of  American  tories  in  Canada,  where  he  finished  his  days  in 
poverty  and  disgrace,  always  obtaining  credit  by  flattery  and 
falsehood,  always  abusing  it  by  fraud  and  treachery,  and  living, 
indeed,  abhorred  by  men,  and  seemingly  accursed  of  God. 


END, 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


p.  EAPR  1.21967  11 

!N  6    '67  -r>  M 

'    ^           ^  '         If*    1YI 

in-TO  ^  Q 

MM  I5 

19TZ  5  ^ 

:          .:*  :,.,    W%  ,?!RC    ° 

EPT 

-••    ,. 

i      MAr  24  1988 

CIRCUUT/ON  DEPT. 

MAY  0  5  1999 

LD  2lA-60m-2.'67 
(H241slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CDOSSbllb? 


